Police are looking for the guy they think killed the 18-year-old girl from California. Her body was found under a bridge on July 2, just a few days after she was reported missing.
On July 2, authorities in Santa Clara County claimed they had found a body in Anderson Lake County Park, which is only a few miles from where 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli was last seen. But officials said it was hard to tell if the remains belonged to the missing person, who had been missing since June 29, because of how the body looked.
last time we talked
The Morgan Hill Police Department (MHPD) said that DeNapoli contacted her family on June 28 at 9:16 p.m. to indicate she was staying with a friend and would be home the next day.
People thought she was missing because she didn’t come home or answer her family’s calls.
With a boyfriend
No one saw DiNapoli alive after June 29. Security cameras showed her and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Martin Mendoza, who is now a “person of interest,” leaving a house where her car was later located.
The Morgan Hill Times says that the sound on the video showed Mendoza asking DiNapoli, “Why would you text your ex?”
Monice Ramirez, DiNapoli’s sister, told ABC 7, “We see her come out of the house and leave with Martin.” “Martin went with them, but he came back with the car and not Marissa.”
Body discovered
NBC Bay Area said that a body was recovered in Anderson Lake County Park, which is a spot where Mendoza and DiNapoli often traveled. A lot of local and federal agencies sought for a long time before this happened.
But back then, it wasn’t evident who the bodies were.
The MHPD captain told the newspaper that they couldn’t tell who the body belonged to because it was in bad shape and had been out there for a while.
The official said, “We can’t tell you anything else until we get the medical exam results.”
“We have you in our arms.”
The police, however, said the next day that they had established the bones were DiNapoli’s.
We are very sorry to have to tell you that Marissa’s body was recovered last night, July 2, 2025. MHPD posted on Facebook, “The Santa Clara County Coroner confirmed her identity today, July 3, 2025.” “We are all very sad to hear this. It’s not what we wanted.” Marissa was an important part of our Morgan Hill neighborhood, and her future looked bright.
The message went on to say, “We stand with Marissa’s family.” It then went on to say that the investigation is still going on. Everyone in our department wants to assist you get through this tough time.
“Very sad”
At the same time, DiNapoli’s family sent out a statement through the MHPD that said, “We are heartbroken about the loss of our dear Marissa.” We would like some space right now while we deal with this difficult time and grieve.
“We are grateful for the love and support we’ve gotten from people who have reached out…” Please express your support by praying for them, saying nice things about them, and remembering the good times you had with them.
DiNapoli’s stepmother published a sorrowful post on Facebook that showed how angry she was with Mendoza: “This is every parent’s worst nightmare.” She was just 18 years old and had a bright future ahead of her. Right now, I truly want Marissa to get the justice she deserves. Martin Mendoza, you are a dreadful waste of life. I am already showing your face all throughout Mexico. You miserable bit of trash, we WILL find you. Marissa needs justice.
“He loves her to death.”
The authorities want to talk to Mendoza, who many people close to her claim raised alarms, in the hopes of providing the family and friends some peace.
Jaslyn Gutierrez told NBC Bay Area that her best friend had already informed her she was scared for her life.
Gutierrez claimed, “Marissa has told me in person, in the car with my friends outside of my house, that [Mendoza] 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 that far.”
Did not want to help
The police added that Mendoza is “a person of interest” in the case and has not been willing to help from the beginning.
“We’re still trying to find him and get in touch with him,” MHPD Capt. Mario Rodriguez told the Morgan Hill Times. “We’ve tried to call him on his cell phone through his family.” We have let him talk to us, but he hasn’t done so yet.
Rodriguez said to Mendoza, “Please get in touch with us if you are reading this.” We want to chat to you and find out what happened. We need to be able to help Marissa’s family get through this.
Mendoza’s white Toyota Camry might have the CW87W00 or 9PTM351 license plate.
Authorities say that anyone who knows where Mendoza is should send an anonymous tip through the city’s website.
Marisa, May you find serenity.
