Arrest Made in the Murder of Exotic Dancer
An arrest has been made in the brutal murder of Mercedes Vega, an exotic dancer whose body was discovered in a burning car on an Arizona interstate over a year ago. The suspect, Sencere Hayes, 22, was taken into custody in Tennessee and faces a first-degree murder charge.
Vega’s Tragic Demise
Vega’s body was discovered in the back seat of a Chevy Malibu on the shoulder of Interstate 10 near Tonopah. The autopsy revealed that she had been beaten, shot, and burned. Her face also appeared to have been doused in bleach.
Investigation and Arrest
Hours before Vega’s body was found, security camera footage showed her entering the garage where she had parked her Dodge Charger. The Charger was later found abandoned on a road a mile away. The Malibu in which Vega’s body was found had a salvage title and had been previously registered to an unknown individual.
Extradition and Legal Proceedings
Hayes was arrested in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 11 and is being held in Hamilton County. The sheriff’s office and local prosecutors are working to extradite him to Arizona. No other information has been released, as the case remains under active investigation.
Mother’s Relief
Vega’s mother, Erika Pillsbury, expressed relief at the arrest. “Now I know the person who did this to her is going to pay for it,” she said. Pillsbury had feared that her daughter’s case would go unsolved.
Additional Details
The 911 caller who reported the car fire reported seeing someone walking around the Malibu. The incident report provided no further details about the person. Vega’s family found blood on the garage floor where she had parked, leading them to suspect she may have been assaulted and abducted.
Confidentiality and Investigation
A spokesman for State Farm Insurance, the car’s most recent owner, declined to comment, citing customer privacy and the sensitivity surrounding the tragedy. Authorities have declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
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