Watsonville man accused of killing teenage stepdaughter in Florida 16 years ago
Photo: Watsonville PD
Originally published 9-24-20 via Facebook
by the Watsonville Police Department:
“A 16-year cold case murder out of Miami-Dade, Florida has been successfully solved after Watsonville Police Officers helped in the investigation.
Raul Mata, a 46-year-old Watsonville resident, is accused of murdering his 16-year-old stepdaughter, Dilcia Mejía, in Miami on September 17, 2004.
Mata was taken into custody on Monday night with the help of Santa Cruz Police. Mata faces first-degree murder charges and is currently being housed in the Santa Cruz County Jail.
Our department was contacted by investigators from the Miami-Dade Police Department after new physical and circumstantial evidence linked Mata to the case.
WPD officers assisted in locating and arresting Mata. The suspect will be extradited to Florida once the legal extradition process has taken place.
Efforts on behalf of both agencies led to the successful arrest of this suspect who was involved in such a heinous crime. We hope this brings some closure to the friends and family of the young victim.”
