Marissa DiNapoli | Source: Facebook/MorganHillPD
Authorities have confirmed the tragic death of 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli, whose body was discovered earlier this week in a remote area near Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County, California. Marissa, who was reported missing on June 30 after she failed to return home, was found on July 2 under a bridge near Anderson Lake by a drone operator assisting in search efforts alongside her family. The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office officially identified her remains on July 3.
Marissa had last been seen leaving a friend’s house on June 29 with 21-year-old Martin Mendoza, who has since been named a person of interest in the case. According to friends and family, Mendoza was described as “obsessive” and controlling, raising concerns for Marissa’s safety in the days before she disappeared. Investigators say Mendoza has not cooperated with law enforcement and remains at large, though he has not yet been charged with a crime.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Morgan Hill Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies are actively investigating Marissa’s death as a homicide. Authorities are urging anyone who might have information on Mendoza’s whereabouts or who saw Marissa in her final days to come forward.
Marissa’s family has asked for privacy as they process their devastating loss, describing her as a bright, caring young woman with dreams of studying nursing. Community members have expressed shock and grief, with a vigil being planned to honor her memory.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Kyle Tolentino at (669) 253‑4962. As the investigation continues, the community hopes for swift justice and answers surrounding Marissa’s tragic death.
The man Marissa DiNapoli was last seen with, identified as 21-year-old Martin Mendoza, has been named a person of interest as investigators work to determine what led to her disappearance and tragic death. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Marissa leaving a friend’s house with Mendoza on June 29, just a day before she was reported missing. Friends and family described Mendoza as controlling and obsessive, raising red flags about Marissa’s safety.
After days of searching, Marissa’s body was found on July 2 under a bridge near Anderson Lake in a remote area of Morgan Hill. The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office confirmed her identity on July 3. While authorities have not yet announced any charges against Mendoza, they are actively trying to locate and question him about Marissa’s final hours.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Morgan Hill Police, and multiple partner agencies are treating the case as a homicide investigation. Officials are urging the public to come forward with any information that might help locate Mendoza or clarify what happened to Marissa.
Marissa’s family, devastated by the loss, has asked for privacy as they grieve. They described Marissa as a bright, compassionate young woman with dreams of pursuing a nursing career. The community has expressed shock and sorrow, with plans for a candlelight vigil to honor her memory.
Anyone who may have seen Marissa or Mendoza around the time of her disappearance is asked to contact Detective Kyle Tolentino at (669) 253‑4962. As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain determined to bring answers and justice to Marissa’s family.
Marissa DiNapoli poses beside a cake with “2025” candles during a celebration, posted on July 1, 2025 | Source: Instagram/moniice__
On July 3, the Santa Clara County Coroner officially identified the remains found as those of 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli, according to the Morgan Hill Police Department. Her body had been discovered a day earlier, on July 2, by a relative who was using a drone to help search the remote area near Anderson Lake in Morgan Hill. Marissa had been missing since June 30, after last being seen leaving a friend’s house with 21-year-old Martin Mendoza, who has since been named a person of interest in the case.
Friends and relatives described Mendoza as possessive and controlling, and authorities are working to determine what led to Marissa’s disappearance and tragic death. So far, Mendoza has not been located and has not cooperated with investigators, although he has not been charged with any crime at this time.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Morgan Hill Police are investigating the case as a homicide, with assistance from state and federal agencies. Marissa’s family, who described her as a bright, loving young woman with plans to study nursing, has asked for privacy while they grieve this devastating loss.
Community members have expressed deep shock and sorrow, and a candlelight vigil is being planned in Marissa’s honor. Authorities are asking anyone with information about Mendoza’s whereabouts or about Marissa’s last known movements to come forward. Those with tips can contact Detective Kyle Tolentino at (669) 253‑4962 as the search for answers — and justice — continues.
A Life Cut Short: The Story of Marissa DiNapoli
Marissa DiNapoli had dreams like any other 18-year-old. She wanted to go to college, become a nurse, and one day build a family of her own. Friends described her as bright, caring, and determined. She lit up a room, they said, with an easy smile and an open heart. But those dreams ended far too soon when, in early July, Marissa’s body was discovered in a remote area near Anderson Lake, just outside Morgan Hill, California.
Her death has left a community shaken and grieving, and a family struggling to understand how a young woman so full of life could be gone in an instant.
It began on June 28. Marissa texted her parents around 9 p.m., letting them know she was planning to stay overnight with a friend and would come home the following day. This wasn’t unusual; she often checked in and was always in touch. But when she failed to return the next morning, her family grew concerned. They tried calling, but Marissa’s phone went straight to voicemail. She never responded to messages.
On June 30, after two days of silence, Marissa’s family reported her missing to the Morgan Hill Police Department. The search began immediately, expanding quickly as news of her disappearance spread. Volunteers, friends, and even strangers stepped up to help. Missing-person flyers were posted around town, and neighbors searched wooded areas, parks, and trails.
As detectives pieced together Marissa’s last known movements, they discovered she had left a friend’s house on June 29 with a young man named Martin Mendoza, 21, someone she had dated on and off. According to those close to Marissa, Mendoza was controlling and obsessive, with a history of jealousy. They worried about his temper and how he reacted when Marissa tried to distance herself.
Police soon labeled Mendoza a person of interest. Surveillance cameras had captured Marissa and Mendoza leaving the friend’s house together, and no one had seen Marissa alive after that. Investigators attempted to contact Mendoza, but he did not respond to calls or messages. As the days passed, he did not come forward to assist in the search or offer any explanation.
With mounting fears, Marissa’s family grew more desperate. They organized their own search teams, canvassing remote areas that police might have missed. One of Marissa’s relatives decided to use a drone to scan difficult-to-reach terrain around Anderson Lake, a rugged, heavily wooded area known for fishing and hiking.
On the evening of July 2, that drone flight turned into a nightmare. From the live video feed, the family member saw what looked like a body beneath a bridge near the lake. They immediately called authorities, who responded to the scene and confirmed the worst: a young woman, matching Marissa’s description, was found dead.
On July 3, the Santa Clara County Coroner officially identified the remains as Marissa DiNapoli. The news spread quickly through Morgan Hill, leaving the community reeling. The girl they had hoped to find safe had been murdered.
Investigators announced that they were treating Marissa’s death as a homicide. Martin Mendoza, still at large, remained a person of interest, but no arrest had been made. Authorities revealed that Mendoza had refused to cooperate, intensifying suspicions about his involvement.
While police worked to gather evidence, Marissa’s family tried to process the unimaginable. They described Marissa as a compassionate soul, someone who cared deeply for others and dreamed of helping people through a nursing career. Losing her was like losing the sun, one family friend said — everything seemed darker without her.
Marissa’s death triggered an outpouring of grief in the community. Vigils were planned in local parks, where people gathered with candles, flowers, and photos of the smiling teenager. Prayers were offered, tears shed, and memories shared. At one vigil, a childhood friend recalled Marissa’s constant kindness. “She was the first to stand up for you,” the friend said. “She never let anyone feel alone.”
As the investigation unfolded, authorities continued to urge the public for help. Anyone who might have seen Marissa or Mendoza around June 28 or 29 was asked to contact Detective Kyle Tolentino with the Morgan Hill Police. The case drew support from state and federal agencies, including the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and even the FBI, underscoring the urgency to bring Marissa’s killer to justice.
Though no official cause of death was immediately released, police confirmed there were signs of foul play. Rumors swirled about how Marissa died, but detectives kept details close to protect the integrity of the investigation.
In the meantime, Marissa’s family had to plan a funeral no parent should ever face. They gathered childhood photos, picked out songs that reminded them of her, and tried to write an obituary that could capture even a small fraction of who she was.
In the days after Marissa was found, her mother spoke briefly to the press, her voice breaking with emotion. “We just want justice for Marissa,” she said. “No one should have to go through this. She was our everything.”
Martin Mendoza, meanwhile, remained missing, his whereabouts unknown. Police warned the public to be cautious if they encountered him, describing him as possibly dangerous. Community members wondered if he might still be nearby or if he had fled the area entirely.
The shock of Marissa’s death will be felt in Morgan Hill for years. Many people there see her story as a harsh reminder of how quickly domestic violence or relationship control can turn deadly. Advocates have used Marissa’s case to raise awareness about warning signs, hoping to prevent another tragedy like this.
In a small backyard memorial service a week after Marissa’s body was found, her loved ones gathered to release pink balloons into the sky, a symbol of Marissa’s gentle, loving spirit. They wrote messages on the balloons: “We love you.” “Fly high, angel.” “You’ll never be forgotten.”
The community waits now, hoping for answers — and for accountability. Marissa’s story is not just another headline. She was someone’s daughter, someone’s friend, someone with hopes and dreams who deserved so much more than a violent end under a bridge.
Authorities vow they will not stop until they learn exactly what happened to Marissa, and until those responsible are held accountable. The investigation continues, with detectives following every possible lead.
Anyone with information that could help bring Marissa’s family justice is urged to contact Detective Tolentino at (669) 253-4962.
In the end, what remains is a portrait of a young woman gone too soon, remembered for her kindness, her courage, and her smile. Marissa DiNapoli’s memory will live on in the people she touched, even as her loved ones struggle to heal from a loss that words can never truly measure.
