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A person accused by authorities of robbing an unique dancer in Arizona has now been charged in connection along with her 2023 killing
Cudjoe Younger was indicted this month on costs of first-degree homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, kidnapping, arson and extra
Two different suspects are additionally dealing with costs associated to the killing of 22-year-old Mercedes Vega
A person accused by authorities of robbing an unique dancer at gunpoint in Arizona has now been charged in connection along with her killing.
Cudjoe Younger was indicted on costs of first-degree homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, kidnapping, arson, armed theft and extra, based on an indictment filed in Maricopa County Superior Court docket on July 24 and obtained by PEOPLE.
The indictment additionally names Sencere Hayes, who was arrested in November 2024 in reference to 22-year-old Mercedes Vega’s 2023 killing. Hayes was additionally indicted this month on the identical costs as Younger, PEOPLE confirms. A 3rd suspect’s title is redacted within the indictment.
PEOPLE could not instantly determine attorneys for the suspects. It is also unclear if they’ve entered pleas. In response to AZ Household, Younger stated Tuesday, July 29 that he plans to symbolize himself in upcoming courtroom hearings.
Authorities stated Vega was kidnapped from the parking zone of her Tempe residence on April 16, 2023 and located useless the subsequent day in a burning automotive, based on courtroom paperwork cited by AZ Central, NBC Information and AZ Household. A medical expert decided Vega had suffered blunt power trauma and was shot, along with having bleach poured down her throat, the shops reported.
AZ Household studies that the medical expert additionally decided that Vega died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was nonetheless alive when the fireplace was began.
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Mercedes Vega/Fb
Mercedes Vega
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In response to courtroom paperwork cited by NBC Information, Vega was scheduled to testify in an armed theft case involving Younger on the day she was discovered useless. The outlet studies that Vega claimed Younger robbed her at gunpoint after she ended her shift at a strip membership in Phoenix in October 2020.
Investigators allege Younger paid two individuals to select up the automotive the place Vega was discovered useless and that he was linked to aircraft tickets purchased by the 2 different suspects, based on NBC Information and AZ Central.
In her obituary, Vega was remembered as a straight-A scholar who performed the violin and “at all times stood up for others and guarded those that couldn’t shield themselves.”
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