Authorities Investigating if Missing American Found in Cemetery Was Tortured, Killed in U.S. or Mexico

Mar. 15, 2025

Reyna Hernandez.Photo:Renton Police Department

Renton Police Department

Police in Washington State say they are looking into whether a missing woman found dead in Mexico was killed on U.S. soil.

Reyna Hernandez, 54, was found dead in a cemetery in Mexicali, Mexico, days after she was last seen on Feb. 26 in Renton, Wash., authorities said Tuesday.

A 61-year-old Renton resident has beenidentified as a suspectand detained in Mexico on unrelated charges, the Renton Police Department said in Tuesday’sstatement.

On March 8, Renton police received information about an “unidentified body” found in Mexicali and suspected it might be that of Hernandez, according to Tuesday’s statement.

Over the weekend, police worked with Mexican authorities and were able to determine that the body belonged to Hernandez.

She was found with her hands and feet bound at the cemetery with signs of torture, authorities said, according toFox 13. She had been wrapped in a blanket, authorities said.

Reyna Hernandez.Renton Police Department/Facebook

Renton Police Department/Facebook

Police say they are “working closely” with Mexicali authorities and U.S. Federal officials to determine further details about the nature, time and place of Hernandez’s killing.

If they learn the homicide took place on U.S. soil, police will seek extradition for the suspect to be charged in the relevant jurisdiction, police say.

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They did not disclose the nature of the “unrelated charges” the suspect is facing in Mexico.

Investigators say this was a “domestic violence” crime, but did not disclose how, or if, the suspect and Reyna were related.

It’s not immediately clear if either Hernandez or the suspect has any ties to Mexicali or Mexico.

AGoFundMehas been set up to help bring Hernandez’s body back to the U.S.

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source: people.com