Colorado Man Accused of Killing and Dismembering Mother of His Child, Hiding Body Under Bed and Claiming She Killed Herself
FRISCO, COLORADO — A 19-year-old Colorado man is facing multiple murder charges after police say he killed and dismembered his girlfriend — the mother of his child — hid her body under their bed, and then attempted to convince others that she had taken her own life.
According to the Frisco Police Department, Luis Antonio Mendez Hernandez was arrested last month and charged with three counts of murder and one count of tampering with a deceased human body in the death of Griselda Amarilis Lopez-Racancoj.
Prosecutors have filed:
- First-degree murder after deliberation
- First-degree murder with extreme indifference
- Second-degree murder
Body Found After “Medical Emergency” Call
Police responded to a reported medical emergency at a residence in Frisco shortly after midnight on December 29, 2025, authorities said.
When officers and paramedics arrived, they encountered circumstances that immediately raised concern. Two female residents told responders they believed there was a person under the bed in the room shared by Hernandez and Lopez-Racancoj.
A search of the bedroom revealed the victim’s dismembered remains inside a white trash bag, which had been stuffed beneath the bed, according to a probable cause affidavit later unsealed by Reed W. Owens.
Roommates Describe Fight, Injuries, and Strange Messages
Investigators learned that Lopez-Racancoj had ended her relationship with Hernandez on the night of December 27, 2025, following an argument. One roommate told police she had not seen Lopez-Racancoj since that night.
The same roommate said Hernandez was seen the morning of December 29 with visible scratch marks on his neck and chest.
During a search of the residence, police recovered:
- A 6-inch steak knife in Hernandez’s closet covered in blood
- Blood-stained pillows with patterns consistent with being pressed against a person’s face
Another roommate reported receiving “strange” text messages from Hernandez the night before, in which he suddenly claimed Lopez-Racancoj was suicidal. When questioned directly about her whereabouts, Hernandez allegedly refused to answer.
Suspect Claims Victim Was Already Dead
In a post-Miranda interview, Hernandez told detectives that he returned home from work around 11 p.m. on December 27, showered, and went to bed next to Lopez-Racancoj, who he said was already asleep.
He claimed he woke around 3 a.m. to feed their crying child, then returned to bed — where he allegedly discovered Lopez-Racancoj cold to the touch and deceased.
Hernandez told investigators he did not call 911 because he was in “shock” and feared being blamed. He suggested Lopez-Racancoj had been harassed by another man and implied she may have killed herself.
Police say Hernandez refused to discuss any injuries the victim may have sustained and claimed the scratches on his body were self-inflicted.
Google Searches and Efforts to Conceal Body
Instead of contacting authorities, Hernandez allegedly told detectives he wrapped Lopez-Racancoj’s body in a blanket, hid her under the bed, and conducted Google searches on how to dispose of a body, according to investigators.
The details outlined in the affidavit led police to arrest Hernandez later that day.
Bond Set at $5 Million
Hernandez is currently being held at the Summit County Jail on $5 million bond.
Court records did not immediately list his next court appearance. Prosecutors have not ruled out additional charges as the case moves forward.
What warning signs do you think are most often missed in cases of domestic violence that escalate this far? Share your thoughts with readers at WaldronNews.