Authorities have arrested a man following a months-long investigation into the April 2023 death of an Arizona dancer who was found in a burning car.

Mercedes Vega, 22, was killed on a highway in Tonopah, Arizona, on April 17, 2023, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement to PEOPLE.

Earlier this month, on Nov. 11, authorities arrested 22-year-old Senencere Hayes of Tennessee in connection with his death, according to MCSO.

Vega was last seen in the parking lot of her Tempe home on April 16, 2023, her parents said. NBC News, ABC 15 And FOX 10 Phoenix reported.

Video footage from the scene shows him walking around 9 p.m. that evening, according to a still photo shared by NBC News. His family told ABC 15 they believe that was the last time he was seen alive and that he was taken away.

Vega’s mother, Erika Pillsbury, told FOX 10 Phoenix the family later found “blood all over the parking lot.”

On April 17, 2023, police responded to a report of a vehicle on fire in a ditch in Tonopah. 12 NewsHe reviewed the call.

Authorities were able to identify the victim inside the car as Vega. NBC News.

The medical examiner reported that the woman was found with bleach down her throat and suffered blunt force trauma and a gunshot wound, ABC 15 and NBC News reported.

A forensic pathologist who examined his autopsy told NBC News that the victim’s face appeared to have been dipped in bleach.

Vega was an exotic dancer and an avid personal trainer, her father, Tom Pillsbury, said. date line.

“You always knew he was around, and he was always so true to himself and encouraged so many people to be completely, completely who they are, with no excuses,” his mother told the show.

in it obituaryVega was remembered as an accomplished student who played the violin and “always stood up for others and protected those who could not protect themselves.”

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Police have not released a possible motive or whether they believe the suspect knew Vega. Her family told FOX 19 Phoenix that Vega did not know Hayes.

MCSO is trying to extradite Hayes to Arizona, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. They have not commented on the possible charges he faces, and it is unclear whether he has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

MCSO tells ABC 15 they are expecting more arrests in the case.