Body of 13-year-old girl found, grandmother missing and in extreme danger: Police

Two suspects have been arrested in the alleged murder of 13-year-old Mariah Lopez, of Huntsville, Alabama.

Yoni Martinez Aguilar, 26, and Israel Gonzalez Palomino, 34, are being held without bond at the Madison County Jail on charges of capital murder, AL.com reports.

According to a Madison County Sheriff’s Office press release, Lopez’s body was discovered in a wooded area located at 166 Lemley Drive in Owens Cross Roads. Al.com reports that a farmer found the body before contacting authorities.

On Thursday, Madison County Sheriff Blake Dorning announced that the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences identified Lopez’s body through dental records, adding that the girl was an “A/B Honor Roll student.”

Specific details regarding the teen’s cause of death have not been released, with authorities citing an ongoing investigation.

Police said the teen’s grandmother and guardian, 49-year-old Oralia Mendoza, is missing and believed to be endangered. The woman is described as a Hispanic female with dark hair, standing 5’6 and weighing 135 pounds. It is not known what Mendoza was wearing at the time of her disappearance.

Authorities are asking anyone with information involving the case to call the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at 256-533-8820.  

This is a developing story. Check back with CrimeOnline for updates.

[Feature photo: Oralia Mendoza & Mariah Lopez, Madison County Sheriff’s Office]