Jessy Mendez Santiago, a 17-year-old male from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was found dead on April 3, 2015, in the 2100 block of Memorial Industrial School Road off Highway 8, south of Germanton. Santiago's body was discovered in a clear-cut area off the roadway, and preliminary findings from the postmortem examination at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center indicated that he died from a gunshot wound.
Santiago had been reported missing to the Winston-Salem Police Department days before his body was found. He was a former student at North Forsyth High School.
The investigation into Santiago's death led to the arrest of Jareke Tayvon Jackson, a 20-year-old male from Winston-Salem. Jackson was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with Santiago's death. Jackson was held without bond in the Forsyth County Detention Center pending a court appearance. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the case and urged anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers.
Santiago's death was ruled a homicide, and the manner of death was determined to be a gunshot wound. The case garnered significant attention in the local community, and authorities worked diligently to bring justice to Santiago and his family. The investigation revealed that Santiago lived about six miles south of where his body was found. The tragic circumstances surrounding Santiago's death highlighted the need for continued efforts to address violence and ensure the safety of young individuals in the community.
