Police search for man charged in weekend murder of girlfriend in Howard County

Howard County Police are looking for a man suspected of killing his girlfriend over the weekend.

According to police, Darwin Carcamo-Santiago, 24, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder in the killing of Esmeralda Perez-Mendez, 35, of Takoma Park.

Police responded to a residence in the 9000 block of Watchlight Court in Columbia on Sunday afternoon, after receiving a call stating that Perez-Mendez was found deceased in a bedroom of the home. It was later determined Carcamo-Santiago lived in that home. 

The victim suffered injuries consistent with being strangled, police said. They believe Perez-Mendez was killed in the overnight hours of July 25-26.

According to police, Carcamo-Santiago is believed to have fled the area and they are actively searching for him. 

He is described as a Hispanic male, 5-foot-7, 140 pounds with black hair. 

Anyone who has any information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDCrimeTips@howardcountymd.gov.