After the arrest for the murder of an Arizona dancer found in a burning car, her family still has many questions

Nearly three weeks ago, authorities announced an arrest in connection with the brutal murder of Mercedes Vega, an exotic dancer who was found dead in a burning car on an Arizona highway 19 months ago.

Vega’s mother, Erika Pillsbury, says the development has brought her closer to a sense of closure, but she is still far from understanding the grim circumstances of the murder – why her daughter was allegedly kidnapped, why she suffered such a horrific death and who else were involved.

“When I finally put all the pieces of this puzzle together, I don’t know if I’ll be angrier, just as angry or less crazy,” she said in an interview Wednesday.

“I’m sure there are moms out there who don’t want to know,” she added. “I want to know.”

Since the arrest last month of 22-year-old Sencere Hayes on first-degree murder charges in connection with Vega’s killing, authorities have not released details about a possible motive or discussed Hayes’ connection to Arizona.

Public records list Hayes’ address in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

An indictment shows he was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and theft in connection with the April 17, 2023, killing of 22-year-old Vega.

During his first appearance in a Maricopa County courtroom last week, a prosecutor in the case said the murder investigation was ongoing and involved other people she did not identify.

A spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said he understands the many unanswered questions about the case but declined further comment because of the ongoing investigation. A spokesman for the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office also cited the status of the case and declined to comment.

In a statement last week, Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner said that “with much work to be done in collaboration with partners at the state, local and federal levels, we hope this arrest gives the Mercedes family one step toward solving the case.” brings closer.” terrible crime.”

During his arraignment on Wednesday, Hayes pleaded not guilty. He is being held in lieu of $2 million cash bail, jail records show. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pillsbury said she and her husband sat directly behind Hayes in court “because we wanted to make sure he knew we were there.”

“We can’t talk to him, but I can stare a hole into the back of his head,” she said.

Vega, who danced at a strip club in Phoenix and planned to open her own gym and become a personal trainer, was last seen at her apartment complex in Tempe, east of Phoenix, just after 9 p.m. on April 16, 2023. A security guard’s camera filmed them entering the building’s garage.

Authorities have not said what they believe happened next. Her family said she found blood on the garage floor next to where she parked her Dodge Charger, leading them to believe she may have been attacked and kidnapped.

Hours later, in the early morning hours of April 17, Vega’s body was discovered in the back seat of a burned Chevy Malibu on Interstate 10 near Tonopah, west of Phoenix.

Her autopsy showed she had been beaten, shot and burned, and her face appeared to have been doused with bleach, according to a forensic pathologist who reviewed the document for NBC News.

It’s not clear who owned the Chevy Malibu. An accident report said the vehicle had a salvage title, and a spokesman for its most recent owner, State Farm Insurance, declined to comment.

According to the report, the car was discovered after someone saw it in the westbound lane of the highway with flames in the back seat and called 911.

On April 18, Vegas Charger was found parked in the middle of a street about a mile from the garage, authorities previously said. According to Hayes’ charges, he stole the vehicle.

“Did he follow her?” Pillsbury said of Hayes. “Did he accidentally walk into her?”

“It’s the unknown that can be really hard,” she said. “The truth will show us what really happened.”