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 identified deceased Wednesday after being informed 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 Boundary Transiting administration announced Mendoza had previously been named as a person of interest in the occurrence and was uncooperative with the examination officers revealed This arrest marks a vital step toward justice in a event that has devastated Marissa s loved ones and shaken our entire area MHPD reported 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 determined dead on Wednesday July several days after she was broadcasted missing Morgan Hill Police Department DiNapoli was first informed 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 deal with this complex journey DiNapoli s family declared in a declaration shared by police We appreciate the love and endorsement from those who have reached out to us Personnel 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 system under a new law Was that the intent The inspection involved more than investigators and the collaboration of local and federal law enforcement agencies bureaucrats reported The agencies included the Federal Bureau of Review Homeland Assurance Investigations U S Customs and Perimeter Protection and the Santa Clara County District Attorney s Office MHPD is hosting three public healing events in honor of DiNapoli From a m to p m Monday aid services will be available at Central High School for students and staff At p m Tuesday there will be a Group Grief and Healing Circle at the El Toro Room in the Morgan Hill District 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 Area Cultural Center MHPD has petitioned anyone with further information on the circumstance to contact Detective Kyle Tolentino at - - or kyle tolentino morganhill ca gov