News Releases

Death in Wheaton Ruled Homicide; Suspect Arrested

For Immediate Release: Saturday, November 11, 2017

Detectives with the Montgomery County Police Department – Major Crimes Division are investigating the death of an adult female whose body was found to the rear of the shopping center located at 2321 University Boulevard West on Friday, November 10.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the death a homicide.

The homicide victim has been identified as Dania Mendez de Guerra, age 21, of Amherst Avenue in Wheaton.  Her husband had reported her as a missing person (read the missing person press release for further information) to the Police Department on the morning of Monday, November 6, after she did not return home from working the night shift at the KFC restaurant located on University Boulevard West.

Elmer Marilan Campos-Martinez, age 47, of Cove Lane in Rockville, has been arrested for the homicide of de Guerra and has been charged with second-degree murder.

When de Guerra was reported as a missing person on November 6, detectives began to investigate her disappearance and learned that the victim was in a relationship with a coworker, identified as Campos-Martinez.

On Friday, November 10, de Guerra's body was located behind a commercial establishment on University Boulevard West at Elkin Street.    Her cell phone and purse were missing.  There appeared to be trauma to her body.  The victim's body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, who ruled that the death was a homicide by multiple blunt force trauma and asphyxia.

Major Crimes detectives interviewed Campos-Martinez on November 10 after de Guerra was located deceased.  Campos-Martinez acknowledged that he was in a relationship with the victim.  He stated that both he and the victim were working at the KFC on the evening of November 5.  He finished working at approximately 11:45 p.m. and waited in the area for the victim to complete her shift.  The victim left the KFC at approximately 12:30 a.m. (on November 6) and Campos-Martinez and the victim became involved in a verbal argument.  Campos-Martinez stated to investigators that the victim was upset with him and wanted to end the relationship.  Campos-Martinez told investigators that he punched the victim three times and pushed her to the ground where she hit her head.  Campos-Martinez stated that the victim appeared unresponsive.  He took her purse and cell phone and fled the area in a taxi.  He discarded her property in a dumpster.

Campos-Martinez was transported to the Central Processing Unit and charged with the second-degree murder of de Guerra.  He remains in jail on a no bond status.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

RLI

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Release ID: 17-374
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: missing-person