PHOENIX — Over a year after 22-year-old Mercedes Vega was found dead, 12News obtained 911 calls placed regarding the incident, including one call in which the caller said he saw "at least one" person outside the burning car Vega was found in.
Vega, 22, was last seen leaving her Tempe apartment complex on the night of April 16, 2023. MCSO told 12News Vega’s last known communication was abruptly canceling personal plans and she had stated she was going to work.
Vega’s car was later found parked illegally with the keys still inside of it near Culinary Dropout in Tempe. Her body was found in the backseat of a burning car on Interstate 10 near Tonopah. A medical examiner’s report revealed she was tortured. She had bleach in her throat, a gunshot wound on her arm, and trauma to her head.
The vehicle Vega was found inside, a Chevy Malibu, did not belong to her. Records show it had a salvaged title. 12News spoke to the previous owner of that car who stated she turned it into a Peoria car dealership in June of 2022, nearly a year before Vega’s death. She said she was unaware it was at the center of a murder investigation.
The 911 calls 12News listened to were from a witness and first responders at the scene. During the call with the witness, an operator can be heard asking where the incident occurred, and the witness explains to the operator that he saw flames inside the vehicle.
"It’s off on the side of the road… it went down in the ditch but I saw, like, flames literally inside the vehicle, I don’t know how many people are in it or what color vehicle or anything," the witness said.
The witness also stated he saw at least one person outside the vehicle.
The call from first responders at the scene is consistent with the incident report released by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, with authorities at the scene calling in to report that what they thought was a vehicle fire also was where they found a dead body, later identified as Vega.
Vega’s parents and friends have grown frustrated with the lack of answers in the disturbing case. On the first anniversary of Vega’s death, they marched to MCSO headquarters, demanding justice for the 22-year-old. They’re concerned for the safety of other young women, especially those living in Tempe near Vega.
If you have any information about Vega’s case, you are urged to contact MCSO or Silent Witness. Silent Witness is offering a $2,000 reward.
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