In San Antonio, Texas, a community is in deep sorrow following the tragic discovery of a 17-year-old girl’s body. The young girl, identified as Kaitlin Hernandez, was found on Tuesday night in a drainage ditch close to where she lived.
Kaitlin had gone out for a walk with a friend that evening. Tragically, she was later found lifeless in the ditch, as reported by News 4 San Antonio on Friday.
The San Antonio Police Department took to social media early Wednesday, seeking assistance from the public to identify a person of interest related to the case.
On the night of March 12, 2024, just before 11:30 p.m., SAPD officers responded to a call at the 7600 block of Dell Oak. Kaitlin’s family had reported her missing. Upon searching the drainage ditch, officers discovered her deceased body.
The police have urged anyone with information that could lead to identifying the person of interest to contact the SAPD Homicide unit at 210-207-7635, providing them with case number SAPD24055687.
News 4 San Antonio released images of a person of interest in the case on Thursday.
The agency expressed gratitude towards citizens for their assistance in the investigation on Thursday. They announced that the person of interest had been identified and was now cooperating with the investigation.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Kaitlin died from strangulation and blunt force trauma. Although police have interviewed at least two men, no arrests have been made yet.
To encourage public assistance in solving this case, Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. They assure callers can remain anonymous by calling 210-224-7867.
Kaitlin’s aunt, Crystal Rodriguez, made a heartfelt plea to the public for help in finding the person responsible for her niece’s tragic death.
It was reported by Fox San Antonio that Kaitlin was found without her clothes in the ditch. Angie Hernandez, Kaitlin’s mother, mentioned that her daughter had been walking with a male friend, who returned without her. This friend was detained for questioning, and another person of interest has been identified.
Angie Hernandez expressed her anguish, stating, “We need to find out who did this, because she didn’t deserve to be left there like an animal. It’s just very ugly and cruel. I don’t know what this person was thinking, why they targeted her. I don’t understand.”
The family and neighbors held a vigil on Friday to remember Kaitlin, urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the authorities.