Suspect Arrested After Woman, 19, Found Dead in South Minneapolis
Minneapolis police are investigating the city’s 23rd homicide of 2021 after a 19-year-old woman was found dead inside a residence on the south side of the city Friday afternoon.
A suspect, Jose Daniel Cuenca-Zuniga, 23, was arrested in Ohio later the same day, police said, and will be extradited to Minnesota to face charges.
Yadhira Romero Martínez
Officers were called for a welfare check at a residence on the 3000 block of 18th Ave. S. around 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, after a woman was found unconscious inside. Evidence at the scene led investigators to believe her death was due to “unnatural” circumstances, though the cause of death has not yet been released, pending an autopsy by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The victim has not yet been officially identified, but family members say it was Yadhira Romero Martínez, 19. A group gathered on 18th Ave. S. on Saturday night to remember her and call for justice for other victims.
Jose Daniel Cuenca-Zuniga
Minneapolis police said Saturday morning that Jose Daniel Cuenca-Zuniga, 23, had been arrested late the night before in Ohio after an emergency arrest warrant was issued by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. Police did not say what in which city Cuenca-Zuniga was arrested, but said the vehicle he was driving has been seized and authorities are seeking his extradition to Minnesota.
A GoFundMe was set up by Martinez’ family and friends, seeking to raise funds to transport her body back to Mexico, where her parents live. The page, set up by one of her cousins, says Martinez was born in the United States but her family had to migrate back to Mexico when she was young.
Martinez moved back to Minnesota a few years ago “in hopes of a better future and opportunity,” her cousin wrote. “Our family is devastated at the tragic loss. Yadhi was a gentle, kind soul who was working hard for her family.”