The search for a missing Washington State woman has come to a tragic end as Reyna Hernandez, 54, was found dead in a cemetery in Mexicali, Mexico, police confirmed on Monday. Hernandez, from the Seattle suburb of Renton, had been missing since February 26 when she vanished after reportedly running errands and never showed up to open her hair salon in the Renton Highlands, as ABC News reported.
Following her disappearance, Hernandez's friends alerted authorities on February 28, setting off an investigation that included executing multiple search warrants and following dozens of leads that eventually led to the heartbreaking discovery, the Renton Police Department meticulously pieced together the clues that led them to Mexico while continuing to probe into the circumstances surrounding her taking which they believe was against her will. A break in the case came on March 8 when detectives were notified of the news about an unidentified body found in a local cemetery on the Tijuana Highway, information detailed in a Fox News article.
In their ongoing pursuit of justice, Renton Police collaborated with Mexican authorities who were able to confirm the identity of Hernandez over the weekend, ending weeks of uncertainty for her family and friends. During the multi-national police work, a 61-year-old Renton resident was taken into custody in Mexico on unrelated charges, and crucially, Hernandez's vehicle was also recovered, as per details provided by the Renton Police.
The police efforts don't end with the discovery; should it be determined that Hernadez's death occurred in the U.S., authorities plan to pursue extradition of the suspect to face potential charges stateside, this dual-nation criminal investigation hinges on the findings regarding the manner and time of Hernandez's death which would illuminate whether a homicide occurred across borders; this facet of the case was elaborated further in a statement by the Renton Police Department, which NBC News obtained.
As the investigation continues, details surrounding the circumstances of Hernandez's death are still being pieced together, and Renton police remain vigilant in their pursuit of answers and justice. No further information about the identity of the suspect or the nature of the unrelated charges has been released at this time.
