Man arrested in connection with death of 18-year-old Morgan Hill woman

MORGAN HILL A man has been arrested in connection with the death of -year-old Morgan Hill woman Marissa DiNapoli who was detected deceased Wednesday after being revealed missing last week according to the Morgan Hill Police Department Martin Mendoza was arrested on suspicion of murder while trying to cross from Mexico to the United States at the California-Mexico Demarcation Traveling leadership commented Mendoza had previously been named as a person of interest in the matter and was uncooperative with the research officials announced This arrest marks a critical step toward justice in a event that has devastated Marissa s loved ones and shaken our entire region MHPD announced While Mendoza s arrest may bring a measure of relief it does not ease the heartbreak we all continue to feel Marissa was a radiant compassionate young woman with a future full of promise Her loss is profound and our grief is shared Marissa Dinapoli of Morgan Hill was revealed dead on Wednesday July several days after she was revealed missing Morgan Hill Police Department DiNapoli was first communicated missing June Two days earlier she had reported her family she was spending the night with a friend but did not return home the next day She was last seen with Mendoza around a m June as they left a house on Trail Drive just outside Morgan Hill The loss of our beloved Marissa deeply saddens us and at this time our family kindly asks for privacy as we grieve and address this complicated journey DiNapoli s family reported in a declaration shared by police We appreciate the love and help from those who have reached out to us Agents have not specified a realizable cause of death for DiNapoli Related Articles San Jose police involved in shooting one person dead San Jose police seek suspect who struck officer while fleeing Bay Area youth violence prevention groups see younger crowds social media concerns Only one of Bay Area s three main downtowns has bounced back to nearly prepandemic levels An ex-SJPD cop charged with road rage got leniency because of his military provision under a new law Was that the intent The probe involved more than investigators and the collaboration of local and federal law enforcement agencies leadership commented The agencies included the Federal Bureau of Inspection Homeland Shield Investigations U S Customs and Dividing line Protection and the Santa Clara County District Attorney s Office MHPD is hosting three district healing events in honor of DiNapoli From a m to p m Monday patronage services will be available at Central High School for students and staff At p m Tuesday there will be a Society Grief and Healing Circle at the El Toro Room in the Morgan Hill Society Cultural Center At p m Wednesday there will be an Early Warning Signs of Domestic Violence awareness and schooling meeting at the Hiram Room at the Morgan Hill Group Cultural Center MHPD has urged anyone with further information on the matter to contact Detective Kyle Tolentino at - - or kyle tolentino morganhill ca gov