Suspect arrested in murder of exotic dancer whose body was found in burning car

A suspect is in custody for the grisly murder of an exotic dancer, who was left to die inside a burning car in Arizona, police said.

The charred remains Mercedes Vega were discovered on April 17, 2023 in the back seat of a Chevy Malibu, parked at the time on the shoulder of Interstate 10 near Tonopah some 50 miles west of Phoenix. The local medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, listing the cause of death as the burns she suffered inside the vehicle as well as smoke inhalation.

According to a coroner’s report cited by ABC 15, the 22-year-old dancer and aspiring personal trainer additionally suffered blunt force trauma and gunshot wounds that contributed to her death. She was also doused with bleach before she was left to die, officials said.

Her parents, Erika and Tom Pillsbury, believe their daughter was snatched from the parking garage at her apartment in Tempe after a night out with friends. They also noted that she drove a Dodge Charger, which is not the same vehicle she was found in her. Police said Vega’s car was found abandoned a few miles away from where she lived and her family said her parking spot was covered in blood.

Vega’s violent death sparked an investigation that would for months turn up few answers — but on Monday, the sheriff’s office revealed they’d recently caught a break in the case and finally made an arrest.

Sencere Hayes, 22, was taken into custody Nov. 11 in Tennessee in connection with Vega’s death, according to a statement from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. He’s currently awaiting extradition to Arizona, though it’s not clear what charges he’s facing.

Authorities provided few other details, including what evidence linked Hayes to Vega, but family members said the pair did not know each other. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told ABC 15 they expect to make additional arrests in the case moving forward.