FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Friday, February 10, 2023

ONE ARRESTED, ANOTHER SOUGHT IN DEATH INVESTIGATION OF JERSEY CITY WOMAN

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

One man has been arrested and an arrest warrant has been issued for another in connection with the death investigation of Luz Hernandez, 33, of Jersey City, who was found deceased in Kearny.

Cesar Santana, 36, and Leiner Miranda Lopez, 26, both of Jersey City, are each charged with one count of Desecrating/Concealing Human Remains in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:22-1, a crime of the second degree. Santana was arrested shortly after midnight on Friday, February 10, 2023, at a motel on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida, by members of the United States Marshals Service Southern District of Florida, in conjunction with the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. He is being detained at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Night Detention Center as a Fugitive from Justice pending extradition to New Jersey.

Miranda Lopez has not yet been apprehended and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345. Photos of both defendants are attached.

On Monday, February 6, 2023, Luz Hernandez was reported missing to the Jersey City Police Department. On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, a welfare check was conducted on Van Horne Street regarding the missing person’s report. The findings resulted in the Jersey City Police Department contacting the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for assistance and Cesar Santana was identified as a person of interest in the matter.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined Cesar Santana and Leiner Miranda Lopez were involved in a motor vehicle stop on Sunday, February 5, 2023 on Central Avenue in Kearny, prior to Luz Hernandez being reported missing. The vehicle was unregistered and impounded by the Kearny Police Department. A court authorized search of the vehicle was executed on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, and additional evidence was recovered.

The Kearny Police Department, knowing details of the traffic stop, led the Homicide Unit to the area of Central Avenue and Third Street in Kearny, where investigators ultimately located what appeared to be a shallow grave. The body of a female – later identified as Luz Hernandez, 33, of Jersey City – was recovered a short time later and she was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:53 p.m. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of Death to be Blunt Force Trauma to the Head and Compressions to the Neck and the Manner of Death to be Homicide.

A timeline and summary of the investigation thus far is as follows:

Sunday, February 5, 2023
The Kearny Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Central Avenue of a vehicle occupied by Cesar Santana and Leiner Miranda Lopez. The vehicle was unregistered and impounded.

Monday, February 6, 2023
A missing person’s report was filed with the Jersey City Police Department for Luz Hernandez.

Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The Jersey City Police Department conducted a welfare check on Van Horne Street. A crime scene was located, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office was notified, and Cesar Santana was identified as a person of interest. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office learned of the traffic stop in Kearny. The Kearny Police Department informed the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office it was still in possession of the vehicle and a court authorized search warrant was executed on the vehicle. The Kearny Police Department led the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit to the area of the traffic stop and a shallow grave was located near Central Avenue and Third Street. The body of Luz Hernandez was recovered.

Thursday, February 9, 2023
An autopsy performed by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined Luz Hernandez died of Blunt Force Trauma to the Head and Compressions to the Neck. The Manner of Death was ruled a Homicide.

This investigation is active and ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time. Additional charges and/or arrests may be expected.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, the Jersey City Police Department, the Kearny Police Department, the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the United States Marshals Service Southern District of Florida, the United States Marshals Service Middle District of Pennsylvania, the New Jersey State Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police with the investigation and arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: https://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential. The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).

Cesar Santana

Leiner Miranda Lopez