The Honduran national faces two murder charges in the death of 35-year-old Esmeralda Perez-Mendez in Columbia.
COLUMBIA, MD — A 24-year-old man accused of killing his girlfriend in a Howard County home was arrested in Texas after state troopers pursued his vehicle, authorities said.
Darwin Carcamo-Santiago is charged in a Maryland arrest warrant with first- and second-degree murder in the death of Esmeralda Perez-Mendez, 35, of Takoma Park. Howard County police said she was found dead July 26 inside a residence in the 9000 block of Watchlight Court in Columbia.
Investigators said an acquaintance of Carcamo-Santiago discovered Perez-Mendez in the suspect’s bedroom and called police that afternoon. She had injuries consistent with strangulation, according to the Howard County Police Department. Detectives believe she may have been killed during the overnight hours of July 25 and July 26.
Police obtained an arrest warrant and began searching for Carcamo-Santiago after determining that he may have left Maryland. Authorities issued an alert for a Honda Civic believed to be driven by the homicide suspect. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper later located the vehicle Monday in Waco, local media reported.
Texas authorities said Carcamo-Santiago did not stop for the trooper, leading officers on a brief pursuit. Police forced the vehicle to spin out, bringing the chase to an end. Howard County police initially announced that local authorities had taken him into custody without incident Monday afternoon.
Carcamo-Santiago remained jailed in Texas as of Thursday. In addition to the Maryland murder counts, he faces a Texas charge of felony evading arrest, according to information provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Court records detailing his initial appearance and any plea were not immediately available.
Federal officials identified Carcamo-Santiago as a Honduran national who was living in the United States without legal authorization, according to local news reports. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer against him while the Maryland case moves forward. A detainer asks local authorities to notify the federal agency before a person is released.
The murder allegations have not been proven in court. The charging document reflects investigators’ accusation that Carcamo-Santiago caused Perez-Mendez’s death, but authorities have not publicly described what they believe led to the killing. Police also have not announced whether anyone witnessed the violence.
Officials have not released a timetable for transferring Carcamo-Santiago to Maryland. Extradition generally requires Texas authorities to resolve local custody matters before the defendant can be returned to face the Howard County charges. No defense attorney representing him in the Maryland case had been publicly identified.
The Howard County Police Department said its homicide investigation remains active. Carcamo-Santiago will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations after he is returned to Maryland and brought before a court.
Author note: Last updated July 31, 2026.