A young life was tragically cut short in the small community of Tonopah, leaving a family in grief and a community shaken. Mercedes Vega, just 22 years old, was last seen alive in April, a vibrant young woman with plans to meet friends for dinner. She never arrived.

The Last Sighting

Surveillance footage showed Mercedes entering her apartment parking garage, a routine act that would be her last recorded moment. The normalcy of the scene belied the horror that would unfold in the hours to come.

A Gruesome Discovery

The following morning, a shocking discovery was made off the I-10 in Tonopah. Mercedes Vega's body was found inside a burned car, a scene that painted a grim picture of her final moments. The medical examiner’s report revealed a series of violent acts committed against her: she had been shot in the arm, struck on the head, and had bleach poured down her throat. Tragically, she was still alive when the fire started, ultimately succumbing to smoke inhalation.

A Family's Plea

Mercedes' parents, devastated by the loss of their daughter, have since been pleading for justice. Her mother, Erika Pillsbury, in a tearful statement, expressed her undying love and commitment to seeking justice for her daughter. “I love you, I will never stop, I’ll never stop fighting,” she said, embodying the profound grief and determination of a mother faced with an unimaginable loss.