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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">December 18, 2020</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Jeff Pitts
<br />Community Relations Specialist/Public Information Officer
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.817.5049
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov
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<br />Brittany Hilderbrand
<br />Community Relations Specialist/Public Information Officer
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7671
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">UPDATE: Arrest made in relation to the homicide of missing Jefferson City man</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 17, Columbia Police detectives arrested Angelica Nicole Benitez, 29, of Jefferson City in connection to the homicide of Marqukis Hayes, 25, of Jefferson City.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hayes was shot and killed on Dec. 14 at approximately 1 p.m. while in a truck waiting in the drive-thru lane of McDonald’s, 3206 Clark Lane. The incident wasn’t reported to CPD until Dec. 15 at approximately 4:30 p.m.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Officers who initially responded were unable to locate any evidence of a crime, including the truck. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many officers and detectives continued to investigate as they were unable to locate or contact the reported victim, Hayes. During the investigation, detectives were able to learn of a possible connection that Benitez had in the St. Louis area, so several detectives went there to gather information and work on possible leads. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While working on leads, Columbia Police detectives located the truck in which Benitez and Hayes were last seen. Inside the truck, detectives located a body with a gunshot wound. Detectives were able to confirm the identity of the body as Marqukis Hayes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Benitez was arrested on charges of murder in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action and has been remanded to the custody of the Boone County Jail. <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police would like to thank The Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office, St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office, Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Cole County Sheriff's Office, St. Louis County Police Department, Jefferson City Police Department, and the Moberly Police Department for their assistance during this investigation. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you saw something or know something, say something. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to please contact the Columbia Police Department at 573.874.7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573.875.TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case Number 2020-011964</strong></p>
<p><strong>Previous press release(s):<br /><br /></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Correction: Columbia Police asking for the public's help in locating a missing person with suspicious circumstances, Dec. 14</span> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=7190"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=7190</span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Police asking for the public's help in locating a missing person with suspicious circumstances, Dec. 14</span></p>
<a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=7189"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=7189</span></a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
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<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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