Man Arrested in El Centro in Connection With Disappearance and Death of Morgan Hill Teen
ELCENTRO, Calif. — A California man has been taken into custody in connection with the disappearance and death of 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli, who was reported missing earlier this month in Morgan Hill.
According to the Morgan Hill Times, U.S. Marshals apprehended Martin Mendoza around 2 p.m. Sunday in El Centro. Mendoza, who is DiNapoli’s former boyfriend, is currently being held at the Imperial County Jail. While charges have not yet been formally listed, an Imperial County sheriff’s deputy confirmed to the Times that the arrest is related to a “murder case.”
Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner acknowledged Mendoza’s arrest in a public statement posted to Facebook on Monday morning.
“As Mayor of Morgan Hill, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all law enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit and capture of Martin Mendoza,” Turner said. “While Martin Mendoza’s capture does not bring Marissa back, it is a crucial step toward justice and healing for her family and friends.”
DiNapoli was last in contact with family on Saturday night, sending a text message at 9:16 p.m. indicating she was planning to visit a friend and would return the following day. She never came home.
Investigators said she was last seen Sunday morning around 9:45 a.m. at a residence off Trail Drive, just outside of Morgan Hill, where she had reportedly been with Mendoza.
On Wednesday, searchers using a drone discovered a body beneath a bridge at Anderson Lake County Park. Authorities later confirmed the remains were DiNapoli’s, according to the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office.
Morgan Hill police previously stated that Mendoza was uncooperative during the initial investigation and labeled him a person of interest. “Detectives are actively seeking information on his whereabouts and urge anyone with knowledge to contact local law enforcement immediately,” police said at the time.
DiNapoli reportedly confided in friends about concerns for her safety, citing threats from Mendoza. “Marissa has told me, firsthand in the car with my friends outside my house, that he would kill her, that he would not stop, that he’s obsessed with her, that he’s crazy and that he’s willing to go to that extent,” said Jaslyn Gutierrez, a friend of the victim, in an interview with NBC Bay Area.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact Detective Kyle Tolentino at (669) 253-4962 or via email at kyle.tolentino@morganhill.ca.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Morgan Hill Crime Stoppers tip form at https://www.morgan-hill.ca.gov/FormCenter/Police-14/Morgan-Hill-Crime-Stoppers-88 or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.