A 15-year-old boy from Texas has been accused of the murder of 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez in her San Antonio neighborhood. Hernandez went for a walk with a male friend on March 12, but did not return home. Her family reported her missing, and authorities found her dead in a ditch without any clothing on. The San Antonio Police Department made an arrest after DNA from the victim matched the person last seen with her. Hernandez’s family tried reaching her on her phone when she went missing, but an unknown man answered, claiming he found the phone in a drainage ditch. Authorities later found her body in the same area, showing signs of strangulation and a possible sexual assault.
The male friend who went out walking with Hernandez was initially interviewed by authorities, but there was not enough evidence at the time to charge him. However, as the investigation progressed, police became convinced that the male friend was the suspect in the case. DNA samples were taken from both the victim and the male subject, and testing linked the male subject to the victim. Based on this evidence, the suspect was arrested and taken into custody without incident. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Hernandez’s aunt revealed that the suspect was someone her daughter knew and trusted, which has deeply affected their entire family.
Crystal Rodriguez, Hernandez’s aunt, expressed gratitude for the efforts of detectives who worked tirelessly on the case, responding to all their questions and providing updates. Despite the suspect being taken off the streets, Rodriguez emphasized the irreplaceable loss of her niece. Hernandez was described as a loving and kind girl with many dreams, including graduating high school and pursuing a career as a veterinarian. She was baptized the previous year and was becoming more involved in church. Rodriguez highlighted how the tragedy has left a significant impact on their family and friends, making it difficult to trust others.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Hernandez’s cause of death was strangulation, and the victim appeared to have been dragged to the location where she was found. The investigation revealed significant evidence connecting the male suspect to the crime, leading to his arrest. Hernandez’s family has been vocal about the devastating impact of the loss, emphasizing her kind and caring nature. Despite the arrest, the family continues to mourn the loss of a promising young woman with a bright future. Authorities have ensured that the investigation remains active to seek justice for Hernandez and her loved ones.
The San Antonio Police Department confirmed that the suspect cooperated with the investigation and was taken into custody without incident. Hernandez’s family has been grappling with the loss of a young girl who had hopes of graduating high school and pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. The tragic outcome of Hernandez’s walk in her neighborhood has sent shockwaves through the community and has prompted officials to work diligently to uncover the truth. Rodriguez has shared the family’s pain and the impact of the loss on their lives, expressing their struggles with trusting others after such a traumatic event. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to ensure justice is served for Hernandez and her family.
