FREDERICK POLICE DEPARTMENT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2020
Frederick Police Make Arrest in Homicide Investigation
At 6:42 p.m. on September 13, 2020, officers from the Frederick Police Department (FPD) responded to a residence in the 400 block of North Bentz Street for an injured person call. The Emergency Communications Center had received a 9-1-1 call from a third party who reported that an elderly female had fallen down stairs. An Emergency Medical Technician with the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services pronounced the female, an 81 year old Frederick resident, deceased. FPD Detectives and a Crime Scene Technician began a death investigation. Once a search warrant was granted, they processed the residence for potential evidence. As a standard practice in death investigations, detectives consulted with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). In this case there was apparent head trauma to the victim, and other unusual circumstances.
On the morning of September 14, Detective Tyler Deatrich attended the autopsy at the OCME in Baltimore. After consulting with the Medical Examiner, Det. Deatrich directed detectives to conduct several follow-up tasks. Detectives served a second search warrant at the residence to gather additional, potential evidence.
At that time, detectives also took Mrs. Maria Gloria Vazquez-Mebo, 35, of Frederick, into custody. During an interview, Mrs. Vazquez-Mebo confessed to striking the victim multiple times with a blunt object. Throughout the investigation, detectives discussed the evidence and facts with the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, and ultimately charged Mrs. Vazquez-Mebo with 1st and 2nd degree murder. She is currently incarcerated at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. The FPD will not be releasing the victim’s name, as requested by the victim’s family.
Investigator: Det. Tyler Deatrich – 240-549-4541
Case Number: 2020-071471
Information Contact: Lt. Kirk Henneberry – 301-600-6217