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A person accused by authorities of robbing an unique dancer in Arizona has now been charged in connection with her 2023 killing
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Cudjoe Young was indicted this month on costs of first-degree homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, kidnapping, arson and more
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Two other suspects are also going through costs associated to the killing of 22-year-old Mercedes Vega
A person accused by authorities of robbing an unique dancer at gunpoint in Arizona has now been charged in connection with her killing.
Cudjoe Young was indicted on costs of first-degree homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, kidnapping, arson, armed theft and more, according to an indictment filed in Maricopa County Superior Court on July 24 and obtained by PEOPLE.
The indictment also names Sencere Hayes, who was arrested in November 2024 in connection with 22-year-old Mercedes Vega’s 2023 killing. Hayes was also indicted this month on the same costs as Young, PEOPLE confirms. A 3rd suspect’s title is redacted in the indictment.
PEOPLE could not immediately determine attorneys for the suspects. It’s also unclear if they have entered pleas. According to AZ Family, Young said Tuesday, July 29 that he plans to signify himself in upcoming court hearings.
Authorities said Vega was kidnapped from the parking zone of her Tempe residence on April 16, 2023 and discovered lifeless the next day in a burning car, according to court paperwork cited by AZ Central, NBC News and AZ Family. A health worker decided Vega had suffered blunt power trauma and was shot, in addition to having bleach poured down her throat, the shops reported.
AZ Family reports that the health worker also decided that Vega died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was still alive when the fire was began.
Mercedes Vega/Facebook
Mercedes Vega
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According to court paperwork cited by NBC News, Vega was scheduled to testify in an armed theft case involving Young on the day she was discovered lifeless. The outlet reports that Vega claimed Young robbed her at gunpoint after she ended her shift at a strip membership in Phoenix in October 2020.
Investigators allege Young paid two people to decide up the car where Vega was discovered lifeless and that he was linked to airplane tickets purchased by the two other suspects, according to NBC News and AZ Central.
In her obituary, Vega was remembered as a straight-A pupil who performed the violin and “always stood up for others and protected those who could not protect themselves.”
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