Jacob Hernandez, a 20-year-old Hispanic male, was found dead on April 6, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His body was discovered in a wooded area on Rhyne Station Road near I-485. Investigators believe that Hernandez was shot on South Boulevard near Scaleybark Road and then transported to the location where his body was found. Hernandez had been reported missing by his family on Thursday, April 5, 2018.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched a homicide investigation upon discovering his body.
The primary suspect in the case was identified as Jaime Joel Melendez Suarez, an 18-year-old male. Suarez was arrested on April 10, 2018, by CMPD's Violent Crime Apprehension Team. Prior to Hernandez's body being found, a warrant had already been issued for Suarez, charging him with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury. Following the discovery of Hernandez's body, Suarez was charged with murder.
During court proceedings, chilling details emerged about the events leading to Hernandez's death. Prosecutor Desmond McCallum revealed that a woman had witnessed Suarez shoot Hernandez while they were sitting together in a car on South Boulevard. Suarez had sent text messages to the woman moments before the shooting, indicating his intentions. After shooting Hernandez, Suarez placed his body in the trunk of the car and drove off. Hernandez had managed to send a desperate text message to his girlfriend, informing her that he had been shot.
The investigation into Hernandez's death was ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information about the case or Suarez's whereabouts to come forward. The case highlighted the tragic loss of a young life and the impact of violent crime on the community.
