Cause of Death Revealed in Tragic Case of North Hollywood Teen Found Dead in Oxnard

The heartbreaking death of Oscar Omar Hernandez, a 13-year-old boy from North Hollywood, has taken a new turn as the Ventura County Medical Examiner has officially revealed the cause of his passing. According to the autopsy report, Oscar died from acute ethanol intoxication, shedding further light on the circumstances surrounding this deeply disturbing case.

Oscar's lifeless body was discovered in early April, lying in a roadside ditch in Oxnard, a coastal city northwest of Los Angeles. His family had reported him missing on March 30, a Sunday, after he failed to return home following a visit with a man described as a youth coach in the Lancaster/Palmdale area. Their concern grew when repeated calls to his phone went unanswered, eventually leading to a search that ended in tragedy.

The man now at the center of this case is Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino, a 43-year-old Palmdale resident who is facing a first-degree murder charge. Garcia Aquino was already under investigation in connection with two other alleged sexual assaults involving minors at the time of Oscar’s death. Authorities say the evidence suggests a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, involving manipulation and abuse of vulnerable boys in multiple cities across Los Angeles County.

One of those cases reportedly took place on February 22, 2024, in Palmdale, where Garcia Aquino is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy. According to investigators, he had built trust with a family in Sylmar, who allowed their son to stay at his home. That relationship quickly turned into a criminal case after the family filed a report with the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station detailing the alleged abuse.

Prosecutors have charged Garcia Aquino not only with murder but with a special circumstance allegation, indicating that the killing occurred during the commission of another violent felony, such as robbery or rape. If convicted under these charges, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Additionally, the sex assault charge carries a potential sentence of six years behind bars.

In a significant development, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that his office is considering seeking the death penalty in this case. Hochman emphasized that the decision to pursue capital punishment would be weighed carefully, particularly in light of the severity of the crimes and the age of the victim.

This case has drawn widespread attention and public outrage, with many calling for justice for Oscar and the other victims whose lives have been shattered. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information related to Garcia Aquino’s past conduct to come forward.

As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Oscar Omar Hernandez, a young boy whose life ended far too soon under tragic and horrifying circumstances.