Nearly three weeks ago, authorities announced an arrest in the brutal killing of Mercedes Vega, an exotic dancer discovered dead 19 months ago in a burning car on an Arizona highway.
Erika Pillsbury, Vega’s mother, says the development has brought her closer to a sense of closure, but she still doesn’t understand the tragic circumstances surrounding the killing—why her daughter was allegedly kidnapped, why she died in such a horrific way, and who else could have been involved.
“When I finally get all the pieces of this puzzle together, I don’t know if I’ll be more mad, the same amount of mad or less mad,” she said in an interview Wednesday.
“I’m sure there are moms out there that don’t want to know,” she added. “I want to know.”
Investigators have not disclosed any information about a suspected motive or Hayes’ connection to Arizona since they arrested Sencere Hayes, 22, last month on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Vega’s death.
The indictment reveals that he faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and theft in relation to the killing of Vega, 22, on April 17, 2023.
During Hayes’ first appearance in a Maricopa County courtroom last week, a prosecutor mentioned that the ongoing murder investigation includes other individuals, although their identities were not disclosed.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson acknowledged the lingering questions surrounding the case but refrained from providing further comments due to the ongoing investigation. Likewise, the Maricopa County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson also declined to comment, citing the active status of the case.
Sheriff Russ Skinner expressed in a recent statement that although there is still more work to be done, the arrest made in collaboration with state, local, and federal partners is a significant step towards providing closure to Mercedes’ family in light of this heinous crime.
Hayes entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment on Wednesday. According to jail records, he is currently being held on a $2 million cash bond. At this time, his lawyer has not provided a comment in response to the request.
Pillsbury mentioned that she and her husband intentionally chose seats right behind Hayes in court to ensure that he was aware of their presence.
“We can’t speak to him, but I can stare a hole in the back of his head,” she said.
Vega, a talented dancer at a strip club in Phoenix, had aspirations of opening her own gym and pursuing a career as a personal trainer. On the evening of April 16, 2023, she was last seen in her apartment complex in Tempe, located just east of Phoenix. Surveillance footage caught her entering the garage of the building around 9 p.m.
Authorities have not disclosed their theories about the events that transpired afterwards. However, her family discovered traces of blood on the garage floor, right beside where she had parked her Dodge Charger. This discovery has led them to suspect that she may have been subjected to an assault and subsequently abducted.
The ownership of the Chevy Malibu remains unclear. According to an incident report, the vehicle had a salvage title. State Farm Insurance, the most recent owner, has declined to comment on the matter.
According to the report, someone noticed a car in the westbound lane of the interstate with flames engulfing the back seat and immediately called 911.
According to authorities, Vega’s Charger was discovered parked in the middle of a street approximately one mile away from the garage on April 18th. The indictment claims that Hayes is responsible for stealing the vehicle.
Pillsbury pondered aloud about Hayes’s actions. “Was he intentionally following her?” she wondered. “Or did he simply stumble upon her by accident?”
“It’s the uncertainty that can be quite challenging,” she expressed. “Uncovering the truth will reveal the real events that took place.”