In a significant development, authorities have arrested 22-year-old Sencere Hayes in connection with the brutal murder of Mercedes Marianna Vega, whose body was discovered in a burning car along an Arizona highway in April 2023. Hayes was apprehended in Tennessee on November 11, 2024, and is facing charges including first-degree murder. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to extradite Hayes to Arizona to face prosecution.
Vega, a 22-year-old exotic dancer and aspiring personal trainer, was last seen at her Tempe residence on April 16, 2023. The following day, her body was found in a burning vehicle near Interstate 10 in Tonopah, Arizona. She had a gunshot wound to her arm, blunt force injuries, and bleach in her neck, according to an autopsy. Later, her own vehicle was found close to her Tempe apartment.
The arrest of Hayes marks a pivotal moment in the investigation, which has been ongoing for over a year. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or clarified whether Hayes and Vega were acquainted. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and anticipates further arrests in connection with the case.
Vega was remembered by her family and friends as a talented singer, straight-A student, and a person with a “huge heart.” Her obituary highlighted her love for swimming and playing the violin, noting that “even from beyond this earth she still comforts and loves.”
This arrest brings a measure of hope to Vega’s family and the community, who have been seeking justice for her tragic death. As the legal process unfolds, more details are expected to emerge about the circumstances surrounding this heinous crime.
