(COLUMBIA, MO) -
In the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 17, Columbia Police detectives arrested Angelica Nicole Benitez, 29, of Jefferson City in connection to the homicide of Marqukis Hayes, 25, of Jefferson City.
Hayes was shot and killed on Dec. 14 at approximately 1 p.m. while in a truck waiting in the drive-thru lane of McDonald’s, 3206 Clark Lane. The incident wasn’t reported to CPD until Dec. 15 at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Officers who initially responded were unable to locate any evidence of a crime, including the truck.
Many officers and detectives continued to investigate as they were unable to locate or contact the reported victim, Hayes. During the investigation, detectives were able to learn of a possible connection that Benitez had in the St. Louis area, so several detectives went there to gather information and work on possible leads.
While working on leads, Columbia Police detectives located the truck in which Benitez and Hayes were last seen. Inside the truck, detectives located a body with a gunshot wound. Detectives were able to confirm the identity of the body as Marqukis Hayes.
Benitez was arrested on charges of murder in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action and has been remanded to the custody of the Boone County Jail.
Columbia Police would like to thank The Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office, St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office, Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Cole County Sheriff's Office, St. Louis County Police Department, Jefferson City Police Department, and the Moberly Police Department for their assistance during this investigation.
If you saw something or know something, say something. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to please contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
Case Number 2020-011964
Previous press release(s):
Correction: Columbia Police asking for the public's help in locating a missing person with suspicious circumstances, Dec. 14
https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=7190
Columbia Police asking for the public's help in locating a missing person with suspicious circumstances, Dec. 14
https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=7189
44°F