The slaying of Luz Hernandez: Second man charged with first-degree murder in NJ teacher's killing
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY: A second man has been charged with first-degree murder charges in the murder of Luz Hernandez, a New Jersey kindergarten teacher who was beaten to death. The strangled body of the mother of three and teacher at Jersey City's BelovED Community Charter School was later found in a shallow grave in Kearny.
Along with first-degree murder charges, Leiner Miranda Lopez has also been charged with failing to dispose of human remains, hindering, and tampering with physical evidence according to the statement issued by Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. The 26-year-old man was previously charged with concealing or desecrating human remains. The authorities have not confirmed whether he is still alive and he has not been located yet, reported Law and Crime.
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On February 7, the body of Hernandez was discovered in an industrial area three miles from her home in Jersey City. The 33-year-old woman's estranged husband Cesar Santana, 36, who is the father of her children was also charged with first-degree murder. A grand jury is currently reviewing the murder probe. Santana who is currently in custody was also charged in a case in connection to domestic violence.
How did police locate the body of Hernandez?
On February 6, Hernandez was reported missing by her family members and Santana. The beloved kindergarten teacher was not found following the welfare check conducted at her apartment the following day. According to the affidavit, inside the apartment, the police saw what appeared to be bloodstains in the bedroom, a faint smell of bleach, a mop, and cleaning supplies.
The previous day Santana and Lopez were pulled over in a traffic stop and it was at this location where the body of Hernandez was found by the authorities. Apparently, the car was impounded by the police as the registration tag for the vehicle expired. Inside the Honda car, the duo had been loading a yellow and black bin.
The affidavit stated, "A search of the Honda revealed a large black and yellow bin with wheels, a shovel with apparent black hairs, a pick axe, rope with apparent black hair and blood stains, and clear plastic sheeting with apparent bloodstains and soil," and added, "The rope matched the rope near the grave." On February 10, Santana was arrested at a Miami motel.
