Video Camera Captures Possible Motive in Murder of Marissa DiNapoli

Summary

True Crime with Kendall Rae: Episode Summary Episode Title: Video Camera Captures Possible Motive in Murder of Marissa DiNapoli
Release Date: August 14, 2025

---

Introduction

In this poignant episode of True Crime with Kendall Rae, Kendall delves into the heartbreaking and recent case of Marissa DiNapoli, an 18-year-old whose life was tragically cut short. The episode aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Marissa's murder, the subsequent investigation, community response, and broader conversations about domestic violence.

---

Background on Marissa DiNapoli

Marissa DiNapoli was born on May 14, 2007, and was the youngest of eight siblings. She was adopted by the DiNapoli family after spending time in foster care due to familial challenges. Marissa grew up in Morgan Hill, a community Kendall has previously discussed, notably in the case of Sierra Lamar in 2012.

Teacher's Tribute:

"Every student in my class touches my heart, but her especially, she had the brightest smile that would light up every room. She's just one of those kids that leaves a mark on your heart."
— Teacher, [02:15]

Marissa was a recent graduate of Opportunity Youth Academy (June 5, 2025) and was set to attend Gavilan College. She was employed at a local Starbucks, showcasing her reliability and ambition.

---

The Disappearance

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 9:16 PM, Marissa informed her parents via text that she was staying at a friend's house for the evening and would return by 8 PM the next day. Contrary to her dependable nature, Marissa did not return home and missed her shift at Starbucks on Sunday, June 29. This uncharacteristic behavior prompted her family to report her missing to the Morgan Hill Police Department the following day.

---

Investigation and Martin Mendoza's Involvement

Identification of a Person of Interest: Shortly after Marissa was reported missing, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Martin Mendoza, aged 20, was identified as a person of interest. Evidence included:

• Cell Phone Records: Indicating last contact with Marissa.
• Video Footage (Timestamp [07:45]): Capturing Marissa and Martin leaving his house around 9:45 AM on June 29th. The audio suggested a heated argument, hinting at possible motives related to their tumultuous relationship.

Quote on Domestic Violence:

"Marissa had been trying to get out of the relationship for a really long time. But he was just incredibly possessive of her, which led to her feeling unsafe around him."
— Marissa’s Sister, Moniece [09:30]

Marking a concerning history, Martin had another domestic violence restraining order filed against him in 2022, pointing to a pattern of abusive behavior.

Law Enforcement's Initial Response: On June 30, police responded to a disturbance at Martin's residence due to Marissa's missing status. Despite family members expressing fears for Marissa's safety, Martin evaded immediate arrest, later fleeing to Mexico on July 1. He was apprehended attempting to re-enter the U.S. on July 7.

---

Community Response

The discovery of Marissa’s body near Anderson Lake on July 2 galvanized the Morgan Hill community. Vigils, memorials, and support events were organized to honor her memory and support her grieving family.

Family's Gratitude:

"We have already reached out to you via email, but we do want to offer you a HOPE Grant if you're interested."
— Kendall Rae [04:45]

Marissa's family, deeply impacted by both the loss and the investigative shortcomings, initiated a petition demanding an independent investigation into the Morgan Hill Police Department's handling of the case, citing racial and systemic biases.

Quote on Community Support:

"Your kindness and determination touched us so deeply. We are so grateful for your love."
— Marissa’s Sibling [27:52]

---

Criticism of Police Handling

Marissa's family and the community expressed significant disappointment with the Morgan Hill Police Department's initial investigation. Key points of contention include:

• Delayed Action: Despite Martin being the last person seen with Marissa and possessing a history of abuse, police did not arrest or detain him promptly.
• Systemic Bias: The family alleges that racial and systemic biases contributed to the delayed response, leading to precious lost time.
• Public Petition: Over 4,000 signatures have been gathered, calling for an independent audit and investigation into the police department's procedures.

Family Statement Highlights:

"In the most critical early hours of Marissa's disappearance, the Morgan Hill Police Department failed to respond with the urgency the situation demanded."
— Marissa’s Family Facebook Post [35:10]

---

Legal Proceedings

Martin Mendoza was charged with first-degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon (a knife). During his court appearances:

• He failed to enter a plea.
• Martin did not attend a crucial hearing on August 8, disappointing Marissa's family who sought justice swiftly.

Courtroom Update:

"We have charged him with first-degree murder and the use of a knife to commit the murder."
— Morgan Hill Police Department [34:00]

---

Efforts to Prevent Domestic Violence

Marissa’s tragic story underscores the pervasive issue of domestic violence. Kendall emphasizes the importance of awareness, education, and accessible resources to combat intimate partner violence.

Statistics Shared:

"Intimate partner violence alone affects more than 12 million people every year. Over 35% of women and 28% of men in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime."
— Kendall Rae [37:30]

Resources Mentioned:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: A critical resource for victims seeking help.
• Community Events: Grief counseling, healing circles, and domestic violence awareness nights were organized to support survivors and educate the public.

---

Conclusion

The episode culminates in a reaffirmation of the need for community support, systemic accountability, and continuous dialogue on domestic violence prevention. Kendall Rae expresses her solidarity with Marissa’s family and highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure such tragedies do not recur.

Final Thoughts:

"I just thought that was so powerful coming from a teacher. For her to feel that she is one of her own children. It really does tell you a lot about the type of person Marissa was."
— Kendall Rae [05:10]

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kendall Rae on Therapy:

  "I have been in therapy on and off throughout my entire life... And telehealth overall has just made mental health care more convenient and accessible for millions of people."
  — [03:30]

• Police Statement on Martin Mendoza’s Arrest:

  "We have 30 active investigators working on this. We are continuous. We are still trying to get a hold of Mr. Mendoza."
  — Morgan Hill Police Department [23:32]

• Family’s Message to Martin Mendoza:

  "For Martin specifically, you know, if you're out there, I am a man of the Lord... I pray that you turn yourself in so you can just."
  — Marissa’s Brother, Julian [27:52]

• Kendall Rae on Systemic Bias:

  "We believe racial and systemic bias contributed to their inaction, costing us precious time."
  — Marissa’s Family Facebook Post [35:10]

---

Supporting Marissa’s Family and Raising Awareness

Kendall Rae encourages listeners to support Marissa's family by signing the petition for an independent investigation and sharing their stories to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Call to Action:

"Please take a moment to sign that for them. You guys always really come through for the families that we talk about here on this show."
— Kendall Rae [42:26]

Resources Provided:

• Higher Hope Foundation: Offers HOPE and Empower Grants to support victims and advocacy nonprofits.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Available for immediate assistance.

---

Closing Remarks

Kendall thanks the audience for their support and urges continued vigilance and compassion towards victims of violent crimes. She emphasizes the importance of community action in fostering a safer environment for all.

"Stay safe out there."
— Kendall Rae [48:12]

---

Additional Information:
For more details, resources, and to support Marissa’s family, listeners can visit the links provided in the podcast's description box and show notes.

Transcript

[Kendall Ray]

Lowes knows to bring your vision to life. It's important to find the right color. That's why Mylo's rewards members get a free Valspar paint or exterior stain sample to test your look to confidently refresh your space. Offer Valid in store only 87 to 8 20. Limit one per customer while supplies last. Discount taken at time of purchase. See associate for details. Rewards program subject to terms and conditions. [e-mail] Terms subject to change.

[Christina Redone]

M oh, what you eating?

[Kendall Ray]

The new banana split cookie from AM pm. All freshly baked with real butter with banana, chocolate and strawberry flavors.

[Christina Redone]

Wow, that sounds amazing. Can I have a bite?

[Kendall Ray]

I'm sorry but no. But you can't split the banana split.

[Christina Redone]

Not even a little.

[Kendall Ray]

Not even a crumb.

[Christina Redone]

What if.

[Kendall Ray]

No, please mine when it's too legit to split. That's cravenience. Get a 3 pack for 99 cents with our app ampm. Too much good stuff. Plus tax where applicable. Prices and participation may vary in terms of conditions apply.

[Christina Redone]

Hello everybody and welcome back to another episode of True Crime with Kendall Ray. Thank you so much for joining me today. And if you're new to the show, then welcome. I'm so happy to have you here. Well, guys, today I'm going to be telling you about a case that is very active and very recent. This just happened in June of 2025. Today we're going to be talking about the very upsetting murder of a very young woman, only 18 years old. Her name is Marissa DiNapoli. And God, this one is just absolutely devastating. And this actually came in as a suggestion from so many of you. And as soon as I looked into the case and read some of the details, I knew I wanted to shed some light on this case. Marissa's life was just starting when it was taken from her. And the circumstances really bring up a conversation that I feel you can really never have too many times. And that is surrounding domestic violence. And every time we go over a case where domestic violence comes up and we discuss it, the comments on these episodes just destroy me. I mean, the things that so many of you guys have been through and your survival stories, it just makes me so emotional. And I just in advance want to say thank you for sharing your stories as well, because it helps so many others that are still going through it or have been through it and want to have support and it just means so much. And before we get into today's case, I do want to go ahead and reach out to Marissa's family. If you see this, we've already reached out to you as well via email. My team has but we do want to offer you a HOPE Grant if you're interested. Now, you'll hear me explain later in the episode that they're not necessarily looking for financial support and they have publicly said that. So if you guys are not interested, we totally understand. But we are here and want to support you guys in whatever way we can if you need or want it. And if you're new here and you don't know what I'm talking about. A HOPE Grant is something that I offer victims families through my foundation, Higher Hope. I started my foundation in September of last year and we offer one time financial assistance to victims and families of victims of violent crime, as well as other nonprofits who work in the victim advocacy space. So if you ever hear me mention that I'm offering a family a HOPE Grant, that's one of two grants we offer through the foundation. The other type of grant we offer is called an Empower Grant and that goes towards other nonprofits. And if you're interested in finding out any more information about Higher Hope and the work we do, and also ways to get involved and donate, we would greatly appreciate it. You can do so by clicking the link in my description box. And 100% of donations goes directly to support victims of violent crimes and their families. So we're very, very grateful for all the support we've gotten so far. And if you're up for helping us continue our work, that would mean a lot to us. You can learn more by going to higherhope.org or following our Instagram account at Higher Hope. Org. So so as most of you guys know, I really like to start these episodes by telling you as much as I possibly can about the victims for many different reasons. Obviously I want to highlight who they were as a person, not just focus on their murder. But also I just think it helps to feel a little more connected to them and really understand and honor their lives. Unfortunately, with Marissa's case, it's a bit challenging because this is so recent. There isn't that much information available about her. But there are a couple things I can tell you though, starting with the fact that Marissa was born on May 14, 20002007 and she was the youngest of eight siblings and the DiNapoli family was actually her adoptive family after she and her siblings spent some time in foster care due to some challenges that their family was facing and they grew up in the beautiful San Francisco South Bay area, specifically in Morgan Hill. And if you've been tuning into this show for a while that might actually ring a bell. And that's because Morgan hill is where 15 year old Sierra Lamar was murdered back in 2012 and I covered her case a little less than a year ago and man, that has just always stuck with me. It's such a heartbreaking case. And to this day, you guys, her body has never been recovered. Luckily there was an arrest in the case, but her family still doesn't have total closure. And I'll be sure to link that episode in the description or show notes of this episode if you haven't tuned into that yet. So I have been in therapy on and off throughout my entire life, starting from when I was in like first or second grade. And I completely depend on it. I know when I get to a point where I'm gonna need it and it always comes through for me. There are so many reasons to get therapy, but the problem is it's not always accessible. And that's why I love living in the age of telehealth therapy. I personally see a therapist both in person and virtually, and I love getting to pick which one is going to be better for me given that scenario or given that time in my life. And telehealth overall has just made mental health care more convenient and accessible for millions of people. However, critical changes like find a suitable therapist or scheduling appointments or the expensive out of pocket costs still keep many people from getting the care they need. So today's sponsor rula, is on a mission to make high quality mental health care from a licensed professional easy and affordable for everybody. Rula's got you covered. They take most major insurance plans and the average CO Pay is just $15 per session, which is incredible. You can now get the quality care that you need when you need it at a price that you can afford. So RULER partners with a network of over 15,000 therapists and psychiatrists nationwide, enabling you to find your personalized solution in the right therapist for you based on your needs, preferences and state requirements. And RULA is committed to supporting you and staying with you every step of the way on your mental health journey. From finding the right therapist to helping you schedule appointments and monitoring your progress. And what's great is they also offer medication management. With its diverse network of licensed, experienced professionals, rula's therapists and psychiatrists make it easier for you to get the care that you need. Thousands have already trusted RULA to support them on their journey toward improved mental health and overall well being. Head on over to rula.comtckr to get started today. After you sign up, they're gonna ask you where you heard about them. Please support my show and let them know that I sent you. Just go to r u l a.comTCKR to take the first step towards better mental health Today. You deserve quality care from someone who cares. So as you can imagine, the community of Morgan Hill has been through a lot. I mean, both Sierra and Marissa were very young women just starting out their lives when everything was taken from them. And that is something that Morgan Hill will really never be able to forget. And in Marissa's case, she had just graduated from opportunity Youth Academy on June 5th of 2025 and had her whole life ahead of her. She was registered to attend Gavilan college right there in Santa Clara county and had been working reliably as an employee at a local Starbucks. And I was able to find this quote from a teacher of hers. And wow. I mean, I just couldn't help but tear up when I first read this. It's really, really powerful, and I think it really speaks to who Marissa was. She said, every student in my class touches my heart, but her especially, she had the brightest smile that would light up every room. She was friends and friendly with everyone that came into our classroom. She's just one of those kids that leaves a mark on your heart. And I have a broken heart right now. I consider her one of my own children. I just thought that was so powerful coming from a teacher. For her to bas feel that she is one of her own children. I mean, it really does tell you a lot about the type of person Marissa was. And she also said that Marissa was someone who did kind things for people in the community. And one specific example she gave was that Marissa would bring food to the homeless. And there was also a quote from a classmate of hers who said she was such a sweet individual. She never had any hate in her. She was very genuine, always had a smile on her face. She has been described by her loved ones as ambitious, as caring, resilient, very, very sweet. And I think all of those qualities about her would have really set her up to live a very successful, happy life had she been given the chance. But on June 29, 2025, her life was stolen from her because of one evil, sick human being. So going back to late June, which just feels like yesterday, I mean, it was literally less than two months ago, like I said, Marissa graduated high school and was working a job at a local Starbucks. And I feel like a lot of us who are over the age of 18 can look back at being 18 and sort of vividly picture ourselves and what that time was like. I mean it's summer break so there's a bit more freedom. You can kind of come and go more freely. And from what I can tell, that's kind of what it was like for Marissa around this time. On Saturday, June 28 at 9:16pm, she texted her parents that she was staying at a friend's house that night. But she said she'd be home by 8 the following day. However, the next day, the 29th, she never comes home and she completely missed her shift at Starbucks which was completely out of character for her. It seems that she was a very responsible person and wouldn't just not show up somewhere where she was supposed to be. So On Monday the 30th, family members ended up reporting her missing to the Morgan Hill Police Department. And it didn't take long for a person of interest to be identified. And that was her on again, off again boyfriend, 20 year old Martin Mendoza.

[Kendall Ray]

Alright, let's move now to developing news in Morgan Hill where police are searching for an 18 year old woman last seen Saturday. And now police are also looking for her boyfriend who is considered a person of interest in this case. ABC7 News South Bay reporter Dustin Dorsey has the latest on the investigation. The Morgan Hill Police Department has opened a missing person investigation for 18 year old Marisa Giannopoli. Her family has not heard from her since the morning of June 29. DeNopoli told her family Saturday, June 28 that she was staying with a friend for the evening and would come home the next day, but she has not been heard from since. Her family is asking for the help of local friends and residents to try and find her, including here at Yubis County Park.

[Christina Redone]

And just like Marissa, when it comes to Martin, there's not that much information available about him. Although I really don't care to know much about the type of person he was. What I do know tells me everything I need to know because what we do know is very concerning. And from what I've been able to gather, it sounds like the two of them had been sort of on and off dating for about two years when Marissa disappeared. And we don't know the full scope of their relationship, but we know that it was not a healthy relationship. And I don't know specifics but I do know that there was definitely domestic violence taking place in fact, and this is absolutely terrifying. But in the wake of what happened, her friends and family have come forward to say that Marissa was actually scared. That Martin might kill her. She said that he was obsessed with her, that he's crazy, and she thinks he'd be willing to go to that extent. And according to her sister Moniece, Marissa had been trying to get out of the relationship for a really long time. But he was just incredibly possessive of her, which led to her feeling unsafe around him. And Marissa, sadly, wasn't the only woman to experience this. With Martin. I learned that another girl had an active domestic violence restraining order against him, which was granted in 2022. So pretty recently, just a couple of years ago. And it breaks my heart, but Marissa had every reason to be fearful of this monster. So I'm sure you've already put two and two together here, that her friends and family likely knew that he was probably responsible for her disappearance right away. But actually, during the initial investigation, it was discovered that Martin was the last person with Marissa before she disappeared. And this was based off both cell phone records and the fact that a video camera captured the two of them together on the morning of June 29th. And in this video, they can be seen leaving Martin's house around 9:45 in the morning. And the audio from it, you guys, actually points to a possible motive. Take a look and listen carefully. Why would you text your eggs? So clearly this is classic manipulation. I mean, saying, I thought you loved me, right after accusing her of texting her ex. And the two of them, they're clearly in some type of argument as they're headed down the stairs there. And while we don't have the full context of the conversation, I think the short bit that was captured says a whole lot. And I think it's kind of interesting that this little bit happened to be captured because I think it gives investigators a lot to work with. And I also personally feel that this really speaks to Martin's headspace on the morning that she was murdered. And the reports on it kind of vary. We're not sure if they were together or if they weren't. But it sounds like they were in one of their off periods, according to a lot of her friends. And if that's the case and they weren't currently boyfriend and girlfriend, it makes you think that when she said she loved him, maybe she just did that because she was afraid of what he would do if she didn't. But whether or not they were dating, I guess, doesn't really matter all that much in the end, because her efforts to calm him down, sadly, weren't enough. Because this video is the last time that Marissa was ever seen alive. Not the case for Martin, though, because a day after Marissa was already missing, that same camera captured him walking down the stairs carrying what looks like a plastic bag. And we don't know what was in the bag, but we do know that he returned without her, despite the fact that her car was found still in the area of his house. And listen to this. After her loved ones had reported her missing, one of them got in contact with Martin. And I'm not entirely sure who it was, but I guess they asked where she was. And at first he tried to say he wasn't Martin, whatever that means. Like, yeah, you are. What are you talking about? But then apparently after that, he said that he hadn't spoken with her in like two weeks. Okay, what? We obviously know that's a lie because we just watched a clip of you from the day before walking down the stairs with her. His behavior was so sketchy right away. And I'm sure there is more that we don't even know about yet at this point in time, but as you can imagine, it didn't take long for investigators to put it all together here and consider him a person of interest at the very least. I choose function because it's the only health platform that gives you access to the kind of data that most people never see and the insights to actually take action. Inside function. You can test over 160 biomarkers, everything from heart to head, to toxins, inflammation, and stress. You can access multi region MRI and CT scans, all tracked in one secure place. Over time, it's an enhanced view of what's happening inside your body. The first year of my weight loss journey, I did a lot of intermittent fasting. It worked really well for me. But what I didn't know is that fasting can actually mess with your hormones. Women's bodies are biologically wired for reproductive protection. And so our endocrine systems are closely connected to energy availability. And women deal with monthly hormonal fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, a higher sensitivity to caloric restriction and stress. When the body senses nutrient scarcity, it can trigger a cascade of hormonal shifts. So if you're thinking about fasting, consider testing your levels to help make sure that your hormones are in check and your metabolism is strong before creating your plan. For me, testing my hormones was huge. I learned so much about my body, and that's something that you're just not going to get tested by default through your pcp. And that's why I love function. They give you so much more information about your body. Than your PCP would. Learn more and join using my link. The first 1000 get a 100 hundred dollar credit towards their membership. Visit functionhealth.com TCKR or use gift code TCKR100 at signup to own your health. In those moments where money isn't moving as fast as your life is, Earnin gives you the financial momentum you need to keep moving forward. Earnin is an app that lets you access your pay as you earn it, up to 150 a day with a max of 750 between paydays. Just download the Earn an app and add your info. Then start accessing your pay as you work and leave an optional tip to help keep the app running for everyone. Any money you plus tips are automatically repaid from your next paycheck. In my opinion, something like Earn in is great for emergency situations, especially if you don't want to dip into your emergency fund. For me, the most common emergency in my life is pet related emergencies. An unexpected trip to the vet because I do have 10 pets and it feels like something's always going on with one of them. But it could also be used for a last minute gift for a loved one, maybe for tickets that might sell out before payday or taking your family to a dinner or an event. So download Earn in today. That's spelled E A R N I N in the Google Play or Apple App Store. When you download the Earn in app, type in True Crime with Kendall Ray under Podcast when you sign up. It'll really help the show True Crime with Kendall right under podcast. Earn. It is a financial technology company, not a bank. Access limits are based on your earnings and risk factors. Standard cash outs take one to two business days with no mandatory fees. Expedited transfers available for a fee. Tips are voluntary and don't affect the service available in select states. Terms and restrictions apply. Visit Earnin.com for full details. Download Earn now and take control of your pay and it also didn't take long to find her. However, it actually wasn't investigators who made that discovery. On July 2, just two days after her loved ones had reported her missing, a family and community led search effort was taking place near Anderson Lake when someone who was flying a drone spotted what appeared to be human remains under a bridge. Law enforcement was quickly called and they confirmed that it was in fact a human body. Right now at 11 the command post is set up and the search for answers underway after a body is discovered near Morgan Hill. But is it Marisa DiNapoli, law enforcement trying to confirm if that body is connected to the 18 year old's disappearance. What they are telling US it was DiNapoli's family who discovered the body at Anderson Lake. NBC Bears Alyssa Gord is live tonight, just minutes away from that search site. And Alyssa, what have you learned? Well, Jess, this has just been a heartbreaking night for Marissa Denapoli's family. The sheriff's office confirming for us tonight that a body was found at Lake Anderson park, but they have not said whether it's Marissa's body, as you mentioned. However, a law enforcement source tells us at NBC Bay Area that it was Marissa's family who found her body under a bridge. This all happened in a remote area of Lake Anderson park down a windy road near the Lacey Anderson Dam. Marissa was reported missing by her family on Saturday and she was last seen on Sunday with Martin Mendoza, who her friends say is her ex boyfriend. Police say that Martin was uncooperative with their investigation and they've since been looking for him as a person of interest. Several of Marissa's friends told us they believe that Martin had hurt Marissa before and they were worried about her. Marissa has told me firsthand in the car with my friend and I outside of my house that he would kill her, that he would not stop, that he is obsessed with her and he's crazy. He's hit her and he's willing to go to that extent. Hearing her friends say that is just so chilling. I mean, Marissa knew that he was dangerous and I'm guessing that she knew that in order to get him out of her life, to get away from him, she needed to be careful. Because as we know, that is the most dangerous time to try and leave an abusive relationship. You have to do it so strategically and cautiously. And unfortunately, Marissa never got that chance to actually walk away. And I'm sure you heard in that clip that law enforcement was actively searching for Martin at this point because now they couldn't find him. Interesting. But what makes me so angry though, and you're gonna be pissed off when you hear this. Law enforcement had their sights on him after Marissa was reported missing. And apparently they didn't do anything. And I will say at this point in time, details are a little bit fuzzy. I am recording this episode on August 1st, so I am trying to piece it together as best as I can. But to my understanding, on June 30, after Marissa was reported missing, the Morgan Hill police were called to Martin street for some kind of disturbance. And then during that interaction, a family member of hers was there. I'm guessing Her s sister and told police that she was looking for Martin to confront him about Marissa being missing. Then I guess Martin just went into the house and wouldn't cooperate with police. So they had a family member telling them, hey, this dude is dangerous. My sister is missing, insinuating that maybe he's responsible. And despite Martin acting shady about the whole thing, they supposedly didn't do anything about it, which becomes a big problem. And reports say, quote, mhpd officers responded to Monterey Road for a disturbance involving multiple males knocking on the reported party's door. The reporting party was neither a victim of a crime nor in need of further assistance. Across the street, officers spoke with a family member of Marisa who stated she was searching for Martin Mendoza to confront him about Marissa's whereabouts. During this interaction, officers observed Martin retreating into the reporting party's residence to avoid police contact. Like a little bitch. Okay, it didn't say that, but you know what I mean. So only after that did law enforcement's search efforts seem to pick up any steam. And several local news stations were now reporting that they were looking for Martin and his white Toyota Camry. And federal authorities even got involved in the search. In a press conference from the captain of the Morgan Hill Police Department, they announced that their investigation involved more than 30 officers from 15 different agencies, including the DA's office, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office, the FBI, Homeland Security and other Santa Clara county task forces. And that Martin Mendoza was someone they were seeking as a person of interest. Then the next day they confirmed that those remains that were found actually did belong to Marissa.

[Kendall Ray]

KTVU, Fox 2 News @5 starts now.

[Christina Redone]

Good evening on this Thursday. I'm Christina Redone. And we begin with breaking news out of the South Bay. Morgan Hill police say today the Santa Clara county coroner identified a body found last night as 18 year old Marissa Dinopoli. Her body was found last night near the Anderson Reservoir. She was last heard from from on Saturday. And authorities say she was last seen with a man, Martin Mendoza, who is now being described as a suspect in the case. KTVU spoke with Morgan Hill Police within the last 30 minutes who told us Mendoza is not cooperating in the investigation.

[Kendall Ray]

We have 30 active investigators working on this. We are continuous. We are still trying to get a hold of Mr. Mendoza.

[Christina Redone]

We still want to make contact with him.

[Kendall Ray]

We are actively asking for his cooperation. We've tried contacting him multiple times through his cell phone as well as his family, and he's yet to take the olive branch to speak with us.

[Christina Redone]

Police searched Mendoza's home today but could not share what evidence officers found, if any. Officers say 30. Investigators are actively working on this case right now and seeking out any new leads. Let's go now to KTVU's Erin Dickens who's live with the latest.

[Kendall Ray]

Yeah, this is a really heartbreaking story. We have spoken to so many people out in the Community Day today that knew her and are very upset about that. And don't forget that police are still looking for a person of interest in this case. We are on Trail Drive right now. A lot of police activity here for the last two hours. Now we pulled up to that house on the corner around 2:30 this afternoon, that beige house. They pushed us back and closed the road. And just now police have confirmed the home you are looking at right now is that of Martin Mendoza, ex boyfriend of Marissa Dinopoli. Authorities are looking for personal items of both of them.

[Christina Redone]

So it's very upsetting that her loved ones had to be the ones to actually find her body. And you know, I've covered cases like that in the past and it's just heartbreaking every single time. I truly cannot put myself in their shoes and imagine what that would be like. Now after this, the community really continued to come together in support of Marissa's loved ones. A memorial was built in Anderson Lake right near where her remains were found. And a vigil was put together to honor her life and memory.

[Kendall Ray]

But first, the tragic updates in the case of a missing 18 year old. Yeah. One day after Marisa DiNapoli was found dead near the Anderson Lake Bridge, her friends and family are holding a vigil. While tonight police are still looking for her boyfriend, a person of interest since Marissa's disappearance last weekend. ABC7 News reporter Lauren Martinez shows you how Morgan Hill is remembering her. She was really ambitious, you know, she was really caring.

[Christina Redone]

The sisters of Marissa dinapoli are remembering their baby sister as a kind soul. On Thursday, a vigil was held near Andrew Anderson Lake, not far from where Marissa's body was found. It was on Wednesday evening when the family search team made the discovery. Marissa's sisters pointed out it wasn't law enforcement. If I don't see your people out there searching for my sister, you're gonna see my people out there searching for my sister. On Thursday, Morgan Hill police confirmed it was 18 year old Marissa. It's been pretty heartbreaking and pretty devastating. We spoke with one of Marissa's teachers, Tara Guerrero. Marissa just graduated high school on June 5. Guerrero's SUV was packed with candles, flowers and other Supplies her students brought for Marissa's vigil. You have a line of students next to you?

[Kendall Ray]

I do.

[Christina Redone]

Tell me about the support, the support they show for not only me, but the support they show for each other. It's just something that a teacher could only dream of, and that's all that matters. The community and the love that that.

[Kendall Ray]

People had for this beautiful girl.

[Christina Redone]

And it doesn't matter if they knew.

[Kendall Ray]

Her or not, how close they were, they still wanted to find her.

[Christina Redone]

We spoke with Marcus Booker, a friend and former classmate of Marisa's. Right now, I'm in shock. Right now my heart is strong, but it's heavy. The Starbucks Marissa worked at was closed on Thursday. Flowers and notes were left outside. A question on many people's minds. Where is Marissa's boyfriend? Police say he is still a person of interest in her disappearance.

[Kendall Ray]

Have you been able to speak with him? And when was that? We have not been able to speak with him. Okay. There's been no contact at all. Do you know if he's still in the area?

[Christina Redone]

We're not releasing that information this time. Also around this time, her family released a statement that they were deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved Marissa. And rather than financial contributions, they were seeking support through prayer, kind words, and cherished memories. Her brother also shared a really nice message about the community support, as well as a message directly to Martin, which I will play for you, too.

[Kendall Ray]

We want to say thank you to the entire community from Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County, San Jose. You know, this was a group effort. You know, a lot of people, strangers that I didn't even know, you know, came and, you know, they volunteered to go and search for my sister. Obviously, the best case scenario would have been a different outcome, but just the fact that we were able to find her, even as it is, it means a lot for our. For our peace. You know, it means a lot to have been able to know where she was and to at least just, you know, get her back. Get her back home, even under these circumstances. For Martin specifically, you know, if you're out there, you know, I am a man of the Lord, and, you know, you've made it very challenging for me to live up to my faith. But, you know, I have been praying for you in this time, and it's hard. It's difficult. But, you know, I pray that you turn yourself in so you can just.

[Christina Redone]

Hear from the way Moses is speaking that they are very confident that Martin is responsible. And, wow, he has a lot more grace than I ever could in that situation, I mean, that's pretty incredible. The thing is, though, because Martin's not a man. He's soft.

[Kendall Ray]

Overrated. Pretty boy. A.

[Christina Redone]

I don't even know what to call him. And he did not turn himself in. Absolutely not. Instead, we learned that on July 7, he fled to Mexico, but then he tried to re enter the United States, which was ultimately when they were able to detain him. Brilliant, dude. Brilliant. So it turns out that he entered Mexico through the San Isidro border crossing on July 1st with both his car and his cell phone. And then he tried to re enter days later on foot without his phone or car. And I am very curious to know if they have been able to find and recover that cell phone yet or if they're ever going to be able to. Because if he went all the way to Mexico to ditch it, clearly there was something bad on that. Something incriminating on that phone. But either way, I mean, police are gonna find it, find what was on that phone. Because Martin, I don't think he's the brightest of bulbs. I don't think this loser realizes that police don't need his physical phone to actually help connect him to the crumb. Okay, so using location data, they were able to track him after he and Marissa left his house on the 29th, after that video we saw. And that data showed them traveling together towards Anderson Lake on the day she was killed. And that's exactly where her body was found, as we know. So keep in mind, Anderson Lake is only a few miles away from his house, so they can place him there pretty much exactly when she died. It's not looking good for Martin. What I do want to know, though, is why leave? Why cross the border and then come back? How much more guilty can you make yourself look? How stupid can you make yourself look? Of course, I have to say, as I have to say with all cases that are in this phase, that he is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But with the evidence that we have, just with what we know at this point, which is not that much. I'm sure there's more. It's pretty damning. I mean, let's go over it. He has a history of violence, a documented history of violence. He was at the crime scene when it happened. He doesn't speak with police after she was reported missing, and then he dips out a few days after and goes to Mexico. And not to mention, we have the video footage. Also, what was in that plastic bag that he was seen carrying on the 30th did that go to Mexico with him too? I'm curious. I do wonder if that was possibly the murder weapon because as of right now, they haven't said whether or not it was found and I certainly think it could be. Again, that is completely my speculation. There's no evidence of that. But I don't know. Maybe it was between busy summer schedules and summer plans. Now that we have an active three year old, sometimes all I've got is a couple minutes to have lunch and it's easy to want to just grab a handful of chips out of the cabinet or quickly make up a Mac and cheese or just eat whatever my toddler has left over. But Factor helps me to eat smarter with tasty chef prepared meals that are dietitian approved and delivered right to my dorm. And right now, with more than 65 weekly meals made for how I live and what I like to eat, I've got more ways to fit in. Real meal wherever the day takes me. Personally, I love to bring my Factor meals into the office with me so that I don't have an excuse. And I've got to say their vegan quinoa chili is off the chain. I need it every single week. I crave it. It's so, so so good. And if vegan quinoa chili is not your vibe, they have so many more options. They offer more variety and more meals. You can choose from a wider selection of weekly meal options including premium seafood choices like salmon and shrimp. Their salmon is excellent by the way, and that's all at no extra cost. You can savor global flav first time try Asian inspired meals with bold flavors influenced by China, Thailand and more. From more choices to better nutrition. That's why 97% of customers say that Factor helped them live a healthier lifestyle. Feel the difference no matter your routine, eat smart@factor meals.com TCKR 50 off and use code TCKR 50 off to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. That's code TCKR50OFF@factor meals.com for 50% off plus free shipping. Get delicious ready to eat meals delivered with Factor. And it really just breaks my heart to have to say this, but that weapon had to have been a knife because we have since learned that Marissa had been stabbed in the back five times. So obviously they have extradited his sorry ass back to Santa Clara county and he got charged with first degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon. There was a hearing on the 8th for him which honestly her loved ones were super disappointed with because Martin didn't even have the courage to show his face. He was in the building, I guess, but didn't even step inside the courtroom.

[Kendall Ray]

We have charged him with first degree murder and the use of a knife to commit the murder. 20 year old Martin Mendoza charged with the murder of 18 year old Marissa DiNapoli. Court documents revealing the teen was stabbed five times in the back. The crime believed to be carried out at Anderson Lake where her body was found by family members searching for her.

[Christina Redone]

Her.

[Kendall Ray]

It was a lethal and brutal attack and a knife was used in it. And she was then just left there. Outside the San Jose courthouse Tuesday where Mendoza made his first court appearance. Prosecutors say DiNapoli and Mendoza had an abusive relationship. I think there's going to be evidence about the nature of the relationship between, between the two of them and prior acts of domestic violence and I think that contributed to the murder in this case. Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom for Tuesday's arraignment, but Mendoza did not enter a plea and he failed to step inside the courtroom where friends and family of dinapoli were seated.

[Christina Redone]

A man who cannot step out after murdering his 18 year old 85lb girlfriend, knowing that all people are here for him. If he cannot face that after running and just step out in front of the courtroom, even be seen by those people. I think our sister deserves her justice. And I think there's enough, you know, there's enough for this to go a lot quicker. And so we're expecting, you know, quick results and we're really hoping, hoping for.

[Kendall Ray]

The community to come through and support us with this.

[Christina Redone]

And as of right now, he is being held without bond at the Santa Clara County Jail. And his next hearing is scheduled for September 9th where I believe he will be making a plea. And I hope for the sake of all her loved ones that justice comes quickly. But as we know, sometimes it does just take time. And in this case specifically, justice does not end with a conviction. And a huge reason why I wanted to talk about Marissa's case specifically was, was because of the efforts that her loved ones have made to call attention to what they are saying was racial and systemic bias during the investigation. I want to go ahead and just read you guys a Facebook post that sort of lays out what they say happened and what needs to happen as a result. Marissa DiNapoli, our baby sister, was just 18 years old when she was tragically murdered. She was reported missing on Monday, June 30. Her body was found two days later on Wednesday, July 2 by members of our family. In the community. In a search coordinated by my sister, Monisha Ramirez. We want to thank the countless community members who searched for Marissa and helped bring her home. Your kindness and determination touched us so deeply. We are so grateful for your love, your action and your belief that Marissa's life mattered. The love Marissa gave and the love she received continues to echo across the Bay Area. Marissa was the youngest of eight siblings born to Julian Sr. And Anita Senior Ramirez. Because of challenges within our family, she was adopted through child welfare services by the DiNapoli family, who gave her a loving home. We are all former foster youth who grew up in the South Bay. Many of you helped raise us and we've never forgotten that. Despite the odds, my siblings and I have grown into community leaders, educators and professionals with degrees from ucla, Stanford, Columbia, Berkeley, sjsu, SF State and csumber. And now we're asking for your help again. In the most critical early hours of Marissa's disappearance, the Morgan Hill Police Department failed to respond with the urgency the situation demanded. And then they list out the timeline of events. The day after Marissa was reported missing, her sister provided police with the exact location of Martin Mendoza Jr. The last person seen with Marissa. Two officers confronted Mendoza in person, yet did not arrest or detain him for questioning. 3. He fled within hours of that encounter. Four days later, a community member, not the police, discovered Marissa's body. 5. Mendoza was only apprehended by accident attempting to cross the US Mexico border a week after Marissa's death. We believe racial and systemic bias contributed to their inaction, costing us precious time. Their delay compromised not just Marissa's safety, but public safety as a whole. We are calling for an independent investigation and formal audit of the Morgan Hill Police Department's handling of this case. Our community deserves answers. Morgan Hill deserves better. Marissa deserved better. We've launched a petition calling for an independent investigation and audit of the Morgan Hill Police Department. If you believe in accountability, transparency and justice, please sign and share. Your voice matters. Your signature brings us closer to real change. We are also seeking support and guidance from anyone with experience navigating this kind of legal or civic process. If you've worked in public policy, advocacy, police oversight, community organizing, or anything related, please reach out. A connection could make all the difference. You helped us find Marissa. Now help us make sure this never happens to someone else's sister. With love and strength, Julian Moses and the Ramirez siblings. I will of course have that linked in the description box box or the show notes if you're listening to this episode. And I hope you guys take A moment to sign that for them. You guys always really come through for the families that we talk about here on this show. I mean, right now that is the best way that you can show them your support. And I'm just very appreciative of how you guys really always show up as active true crime consumers. And I agree with them that this was not handled the way it should have been, especially when they had Martin right in front of them and they did nothing about it. It. And of course the Morgan Hill Police Department has said that they did not have any evidence at the time to support his arrest, which, yes, I understand that, but I'm personally of the belief that when you have a family member right in front of you that is telling you that their loved one is missing and this person needs to be spoken to, that they are dangerous and they have a pattern, a history, I think you find a way to speak with that person. Just. You just do. And when you think about it, they are lucky that Martin chose to re enter the United States. I mean, he could have chosen. Chosen to stay in Mexico and have been gone for a long time, maybe even forever. And we've seen that happen with a couple of cases. One that's coming to mind right now is Leslie Palacio. That was another case that I covered about a young girl who was killed by a guy that she knew and he fled to Mexico where he hid out for years. In fact, back when I covered her case, there hadn't even been an arrest yet. But her killer, Eric Rangel Ibera, was captured in July of 2024 and finally arrested for her murder. So personally, I don't think it's outrageous for Marissa's family to be upset said about how the case was handled. They really could have lost Martin forever and never have seen justice for their sister. So I get that. I do understand where they're coming from that there wasn't enough evidence to make an arrest. But again, I think they should have taken the time to speak with him. Morgan Hill PD has released a statement. I'm going to read that for you. And I do appreciate that they didn't deflect and they accepted the way that their family is feeling. It said, this is specifically coming from the chief. We're not here to comment or judge the way someone grieves. And this is a very tough situation. They lost a loved one. So if the anger is towards us, then the anger is towards us.

[Kendall Ray]

Police family says that Morgan Hill police did speak to Mendoza in person. He was not arrested. He was not Held for questioning. Then within hours, he was gone. The family believes police should have acted differently with urgency. Thousands in the community are demanding an investigation now into how, how that investigation was handled.

[Christina Redone]

I'm just like, well, I don't know.

[Kendall Ray]

He could have hurt my sister. Like she's missing. She could, he, she could be hurt.

[Christina Redone]

You know, like he's a suspect.

[Kendall Ray]

Because I know he's been abusive.

[Christina Redone]

You know, like, here he is. I brought you to him.

[Kendall Ray]

Ask him the right questions. I don't know.

[Christina Redone]

You know, I feel like they had expected me to do their job and, and got mad at me when I started, you know, doing their job.

[Kendall Ray]

Some 4,000 people have already signed that petition online demanding an independent investigation into Morgan Hill pd.

[Christina Redone]

And another reason that I wanted to talk about Marissa's case is because I'm just so impressed with the community support here in the wake of her murder. Several community events were held to help people process what had just happened, including grief counseling for students as well as grief and healing circles held at a local community center. They also did something that I think is so, so valuable and important. They had a domestic violence aware night. It was called awareness and Education. And they had an experienced counselor come in and speak to people about recognizing early signs of domestic violence. The non profit called Community Solutions came and offered services to survivors and hosted a resource booth for people interested in learning more. Her sister said the community came together when it mattered most. And I just think the whole effort really speaks to how strong Morgan Hill actually is and how committed they are to be there for those who need it the most. Marissa's sister Moniece was a victim of domestic violence herself. So she knows firsthand how difficult it is to get away from a partner like this. And I know that we all wish Marissa's situation didn't end up the way that it did. And I did think this was really sweet. During one of the events, her sister mentioned how Marissa likely would have been super embarrassed by all of this attention. I guess she just wasn't super into being in the spotlight. But now that she is, unfortunately, probably never the way that anyone imagined could have been possible. I do think it's important that her story can help spread awareness and shed light on domestic violence and really help so many others out there going through these situations right now. It's sad that it's still such a prevalent issue. And sadly, I believe it will be for a long time, if not for the rest of time, unfortunately. Maybe that sounds really bleak, but I don't know. I. I worry for humanity because we don't seem to prioritize this in teaching our young people how to treat other human beings. And therefore, it's an issue that we need to continue talking about for all time. Intimate partner violence alone affects more than 12 million people every year. And over 35% of women and 28% of men in the US have experienced rape, physical violence and or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. And with those numbers, they're very high, but you have to keep in mind that they are definitely higher than that because those only reflect instances that get reported. And as we know, a lot of it doesn't. The reality is so many people experience domestic violence, I feel like everyone experiences it to some degree, whether that's to you personally or to someone you love in your lifetime. And if you're out there listening to this right now and you are experiencing domestic violence or have experienced it, it's not something to be ashamed of. But there is ways to help combat it. There are so many great resources out there. Don't feel afraid to reach out to some of those local resources where you live. I mean, there are resources for victims after the fact. There are prevention efforts to keep it from happening in the first place. And so, as always, when this topic comes up, I want to share some of those resources with you. First of all, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is an incredible, incredible resource for getting help. I've heard from many of you how it has been a great first step. It helps you to learn how to identify abuse, plan for safety, supporting others, and so much more. So if you know someone who's experiencing domestic violence and they don't know how to get help or they're afraid to and you want to help them but you don't know how, calling that hotline is going to be a great first step. So I will have that resource as well as some other resources that are helpful in my opinion in, in the description box of this episode or the show notes, if you are listening to this episode. But one thing I want to especially emphasize today is that if someone comes to you and tells you what's going on, tells you that they're being abused, please believe them. Be someone that someone else can feel comfortable confiding in and if possible, help them come up with a safe way to get away from their abuser. And I completely understand if you feel that you cannot personally get them that help help, or you don't know where to start, you're overwhelmed or scared, there are resources out there that can help you Help them now to Marissa's loved ones. Oh my God. I am so sorry for what you guys are going through in this time. I mean, it has not been long at all. I'm sure it's extremely fresh and not a moment of your day goes by where you aren't thinking about Marissa and what happened. It's so unfair. I just, I. I really, really hope for justice for you all. You know, not only with Martin, but with the police department, whatever that looks like for you. I'm here, I'm with you, I support you. And again, I would love to help you guys through my foundation. My team will be reaching out to you. And if you know, you don't want the financial assistance or don't don't want a grant, we can figure out another way to honor Marissa. I know you have mentioned not needing financial assistance, but I do have a HOPE grant set aside for you if you decide that you want it. I'm definitely going to be following this one. Just horrible, horrible, horrible. Can't believe she's only 18 years old. I mean, really just getting started. It's just beyond words. That is going to be it for me today. Guys. Thank you for joining me for another episode. And make sure you follow the show on Spotify and Apple podcasts. It really does help me out. If you want to watch the video version of this show, you can find it on my YouTube channel which will be linked, or you can just search Kendall Rae. I will be back with another episode soon, but until then, stay safe out there.

[Kendall Ray]

You're great at protecting your own personal information. You probably even use things like two factor authentication, strong passwords and a vpn. But as much as you try to be in control of how your information is protected, there are lots of places that also have it and they might not be as careful as you are. That's why LifeLock monitors millions of data points every second for identity threats. If your identity is stolen, a LifeLock US based restoration specialist will help solve identity theft issues on your behalf. Guaranteed or your money back back. Plus, all LifeLock plans are backed by the million dollar protection package, meaning LifeLock will reimburse you up to the limits of your plan. If you lose money due to identity theft, you might not be able to control how others handle your personal information, but you can help protect it. With LifeLock, save up to 40% your first year. Call 1-800-LIFELOCK and use promo code IHEART or go to lifelock.com iheart for 40% off terms apply.

[Christina Redone]

Time for a sofa upgrade visit washablesofas.com and discover Annabe where designer style meets budget friendly prices with sofas starting at $699, Annabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money money back guarantee. Get up to 60 off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. Oh what you eating?

[Kendall Ray]

The new banana split cookie from AM pm. All freshly baked with real butter with banana, chocolate and strawberry flavors.

[Christina Redone]

Wow, that sounds amazing. Can I have a bite?

[Kendall Ray]

I'm sorry but no. But you can't split the banana split.

[Christina Redone]

Not even a little note?

[Kendall Ray]

Not even a crumb. What if no please mine when it's too legit to split. That's cravenience. Get a 3 pack for 99 cents with our app ampm. Too much good stuff plus tax where applicable. Prices and participation may vary. Terms and conditions apply.