Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, a soccer coach from Southern California, has been charged with the murder of a 13-year-old boy named Oscar “Omar” Hernandez, whose body was found in a wooded area in Oxnard. Garcia-Aquino is also facing charges of assaulting a 16-year-old boy in a separate incident in Palmdale, California. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed condolences to Omar’s family and emphasized the need for justice.
The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division took over the case after Omar went missing following a visit to Garcia-Aquino in Lancaster. His body was found after a search in Oxnard, and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity. Additionally, Garcia-Aquino has been charged with sexual assault related to a separate incident in 2024 involving the 16-year-old boy.
Authorities suspect there may be more victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Omar was described by loved ones as a funny and cheerful teenager who loved soccer and had a bright future ahead of him. His family, friends, and community members held a vigil in his honor to remember him fondly and express their grief over his tragic death.
The investigation into these disturbing incidents continues, and Garcia-Aquino could face life in prison or even the death penalty if convicted of the murder charge. His legal representation status is still unclear, and the case has sparked widespread sadness and reflection on the impact of violence on families and communities.
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