1 man arrested, 2nd sought in killing of Jersey City kindergarten teacher, Luz Hernandez, found in shallow grave
JERSEY CITY, N.J. - There are new developments in the murder case of a Jersey City teacher.
Luz Hernandez's body was found in a shallow grave in Kearny, N.J.
Authorities have charged a man family members say is her boyfriend, and they're searching for a second suspect.
There's a memorial in front of what was a crime scene.
The family is overwhelmed with sadness.
CBS2's Christine Sloan spoke with the victim's brother soon after the arrest, and he couldn't find the words to describe his grief. Family members told CBS2 they had a feeling all along something wasn't right with the suspect's story.
Now, Hernandez's ex is in custody in Florida as authorities search for a second suspect.
Investigators have Cesar Santana, 36, in custody in connection with the murder of the beloved kindergarten teacher and mother of three.
Her brother told CBS2 earlier this week the relationship between the two was strained.
"Yes, that's her boyfriend. They've been together for 17 years. Lately they've been having a lot of issues together. They were broken up," Hernandez's brother said.
Authorities have also issued a warrant for 26-year-old Leiner Miranda Lopez. The relationship between Santana and Lopez is unclear, but both are charged with desecrating and concealing human remains.
Hernandez's body was found Tuesday in a shallow grave in a desolate industrial area of Kearny, N.J. Investigators were back on the scene Friday in the development where Santana lived with their three children.
"I just feel bad for her children. Like, her school. My daughter doesn't have a teacher anymore," said parent Angie Narvaz.
Narvaz brought her daughter to the makeshift memorial in front of Hernandez's Jersey City home.
"She's taking it very hard," Narvaz said.
"She was a good lady. Very surprised to everybody, what happened," said neighbor and parent Estevan Castro. "Very dedicated as long as I know her. Every day she pass by with her three kids."
Investigators say Hernandez died of blunt force trauma to the head and compressions to the neck. A welfare check to the 33-year-old's home Tuesday led police to her body.
Family member told CBS2 on Saturday Santana took their children to Hernandez's sister's house, then picked them up later that night and told them not to go into her room.
Family member also say on Sunday Santana took Hernandez's mom and children to church.
The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office says on Sunday, Kearny Police stopped a car with Santana and Lopez in it. The car was unregistered, and impounded.
Monday was when family members filed a missing person report.
"Monday night he was here. I came Monday night when I found out about it and he was here. And he told my mom in front of the cops, just take 'em. And the cops just let him walk right out and leave because they didn't have sufficient evidence to lock him up," Christino Hernandez said.
Now in custody, Santana is known to many neighbors in Jersey City.
"I knew him, and every day he would say hello," Castro said.
"What kind of guy was he?" Sloan asked.
"Normal," Castro said.
Police would like information that could help them find Lopez. In the meantime, the school where Hernandez taught is trying to raise money for her family.
