Missing American Found Tortured to Death in Mexico Cemetery: ‘The Worst Possible Outcome’

An American woman who had not been seen since February 26 was found dead.

The body of Washington resident Reyna Hernandez, 54, was found in a cemetery in Mexicali, Mexico. According to Seattle’s Fox 13, authorities confirmed there were signs of torture, saying Hernandez was bound by the hands and feet and wrapped in a blanket.

She was also shot in the head.

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Her death was also confirmed by the Renton Police Department in a statement they shared on their Facebook account on Monday.

“This is the worst possible outcome, and our hearts go out to Reyna’s family and friends,” said Chief of Investigation Chandler Swain. “We are working closely with the Mexicali Police Department and our US federal partners to determine when and where Reyna was killed.”

crime scene — picture.

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Police added: “On March 8, detectives were alerted to a newspaper article in Mexicali about an unidentified body found in a local cemetery on Tijuana Highway. Investigators contacted Mexican authorities and were able to provide enough information to identify Hernandez over the weekend.”

According to the release, the 61-year-old Renton resident is currently in custody in Mexico, where Hernandez’s vehicle was also found.

“Detectives say this was a case of domestic violence,” the department said in its Facebook post.

Although investigators have confirmed her death was a homicide, they have yet to determine whether the act took place in the United States or Mexico to see if they will seek extradition of the suspect to face charges in that jurisdiction.

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In a March 5 report by local news station KIRO 7, Renton Police Public Information Officer Meeghan Black told the media that they suspect she may be in danger.

“They served multiple search warrants and uncovered evidence that leads us to believe she was taken against her will. We expect a bad game in this case,” said Black.

Authorities also do not believe her car is currently in the area after her disappearance.

Reyna Hernandez.

Renton, WA Police Department/Facebook

After Hernandez’s body was found, the Renton Police Department said they were also able to find her vehicle.

Hernandez was reported missing by her friends on Feb. 28 when she did not return home after running errands and did not open her small business in Renton Highlands, police said.

German Sahagun had known Hernandez for a decade since his family’s restaurant was next door to her hair salon. When she first went missing, he spoke to KOMO News about the last time he saw her, adding that her behavior seemed a little off.

“She was quiet that day, which I thought was strange,” he said.

Sahagun described Hernandez as “very outspoken, loud, [and] friendly” person.

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