An Arizona man is behind bars for the 2023 murder of a woman found dead inside a burning car.

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, police arrested 22-year-old Sencere Hayes in connection with the April 2023 murder of Mercedes Vega, who was found dead in near Tonopah on Interstate 10.

Hayes was arrested in Tennessee on November 11, and police are working to have him extradited to Maricopa County. MCSO anticipates additional arrests in the case.

“Hayes was arrested on 11/11/2024, in Tennessee,” read a portion of the statement. “MCSO is working with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to get Hayes extradited back to Maricopa County.”

Her parents told ABC15 that they later found her own car abandoned near her Tempe apartment. They believe she was abducted from the apartment parking garage.

The medical examiner’s report noted blunt force trauma, a gunshot wound to the arm, and bleach found in her throat.

“No one’s family deserves what we’re going through,” Vegas’ father, Thomas Pillsbury, previously said, according to FOX 10.

The story is developing. Check back for updates.

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[Feature Photo: Mercedes Vega/Handout]