Two More Accused in Mercedes Vega Murder as Arizona Unfolds Gruesome Crime Plot

The investigation into the horrific 2023 murder of Mercedes Vega continues to deepen, with two more suspects formally charged and prosecutors preparing for a potential death penalty trial.

New Charges Filed Against Two Additional Men

The murder case of 24-year-old Mercedes Vega has taken another major step forward. Arizona authorities have officially charged Jared Demarcus Gray and Cudjoe Young in connection with Vega’s brutal killing. Gray faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, and theft, while Young is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

According to newly released court documents, Gray was tied to the case through evidence discovered at the crime scene. During interrogation, he admitted to being in Arizona for business but refused to disclose who he was with or what he was doing.

Meanwhile, Young—who was previously charged in a 2020 armed robbery involving Vega—was already on investigators' radar. Authorities believe he was responsible for purchasing plane tickets for both Gray and another suspect, Sencere Patrick Hayes, placing him at the center of a larger conspiracy.

A Chilling Timeline of Violence

Mercedes Vega was last seen alive on April 16, 2023, leaving her apartment in Tempe, Arizona. Surveillance footage captured her walking out that evening, reportedly to meet friends. Her car was later found abandoned near the popular Culinary Dropout restaurant in Tempe.

Tragically, the following day, Vega’s body was discovered several miles west of Tonopah inside a burning vehicle along Interstate 10. The car had been intentionally set on fire.

The medical examiner’s report painted a horrifying picture: Vega had been shot in the arm, struck in the head, and had bleach poured down her throat. She was still alive when the fire was started, and ultimately died from smoke inhalation. Investigators confirmed that the fire was deliberately used to destroy evidence and conceal the crime.

Prime Suspect Sencere Hayes Faces Capital Charges

Nearly a year after Vega’s murder, authorities arrested Sencere Patrick Hayes in Hamilton County, Tennessee, in November 2024. He was extradited to Arizona to face charges.

In a significant development, prosecutors have filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Hayes if he is convicted of first-degree murder. The state argues that Hayes killed Vega to prevent her from testifying in a previous robbery case—a legally recognized aggravating factor for capital punishment in Arizona.

Court records also reveal that Hayes initially denied knowing Gray or Young. However, further investigation confirmed that all three men had ties to Tennessee and had been connected through travel and financial records around the time of Vega’s death.

Drug Ring Ties and Organized Crime Allegations

The case has grown beyond a single act of violence. Investigators now believe that Cudjoe Young is the suspected leader of a drug trafficking operation, responsible for moving narcotics and fentanyl from Phoenix to major cities including New York and Atlanta.

According to law enforcement, Young used flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as part of his network. These connections place Vega’s murder within a broader context of organized criminal activity, with Young allegedly financing travel for key individuals involved in the murder plot.

Family Seeks Justice as Trial Approaches

Mercedes Vega’s parents, Tom and Erika Pillsbury, have been outspoken throughout the investigation. They discovered blood in their daughter’s parking spot days after her disappearance and have worked tirelessly to keep public attention on the case.

Following the state’s decision to pursue the death penalty, the family expressed a mix of grief and relief—grateful that the legal system is taking the case seriously and that those responsible are being held accountable.

What Comes Next

As the investigation continues, more court proceedings are expected in the coming months:

Sencere Hayes is scheduled for a pretrial conference and potential trial in mid-2025

Gray and Young await arraignment and further charges as prosecutors build their case

Additional suspects or charges may still emerge as law enforcement digs deeper into the connections between those involved

A Case That Shook Arizona

The murder of Mercedes Vega is among the most disturbing and high-profile criminal cases in recent Arizona history. It involves multiple states, suspected organized crime, and a brutal attempt to silence a young woman who had already been a victim of violence.

As the legal process unfolds, the Vega family’s hope is clear: that Mercedes receives the justice she deserves, and that her story helps shine a light on the need for accountability, compassion, and protection for women facing threats of violence.