A 54-year-old mother of four and grandmother of eight was tragically killed in a carjacking incident in Loudoun County, Virginia, and police have arrested a 21-year-old suspect who is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Jose Aguilar-Martinez has been charged with felony carjacking in connection with the death of Melody Waldecker, a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland.
The incident occurred on July 28, when Waldecker stopped at a 7-Eleven store in Sterling, Virginia, around 11:30 a.m. after visiting her ailing mother. As she walked into the store, she noticed Aguilar-Martinez attempting to break into her parked car. When Waldecker tried to intervene, Aguilar-Martinez allegedly struck and killed her with the vehicle as he fled the scene.
Responding officers found Waldecker deceased at the scene. Aguilar-Martinez was apprehended approximately 45 minutes later and was booked at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on felony charges the following day.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials confirmed that Aguilar-Martinez is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador. Family members described Waldecker as a devoted caregiver at a nursing home in Montgomery County who loved spending time with her grandchildren.
Aguilar-Martinez is currently being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bail, and ICE has placed a detainer on him, requesting custody if he is released from jail at any time. Authorities indicate that additional charges may be filed against Aguilar-Martinez as the investigation continues.
