An urgent search gripped the community of Morgan Hill after 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli failed to return home on June 28. In a late-night text, she had assured her family she would be staying with a friend. But when calls went unanswered and days passed, concern quickly grew into fear.
On July 2, that fear was confirmed. Hikers discovered a body beneath a bridge near Anderson Lake County Park. The following day, the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office identified the remains as Marissa, who had been reported missing just days earlier. The news sent shockwaves through her community and prompted a renewed push for answers.
Authorities have identified 21-year-old Martin Mendoza, Marissa’s boyfriend, as a person of interest in the case. He was reportedly the last person seen with her. Surveillance footage shows the couple leaving a residence on June 29—the same location where Marissa’s car was later found abandoned. The video also shows Mendoza returning alone in her vehicle.
In a portion of the footage, audio reportedly captures a tense exchange between the two. Friends say Marissa had previously expressed concern about Mendoza’s behavior, noting that she feared his jealousy could become dangerous. Those concerns have resurfaced in the wake of recent developments.
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