Cudjoe Young was indicted on multiple charges, including murder and kidnapping, in connection with the 2023 death of Mercedes VegaNicole AcostaWed, July 30, 2025 at 9:51 PM UTC2 min readGoFundMeMercedes VegaNEED TO KNOWA man accused by authorities of robbing an exotic dancer in Arizona has now been charged in connection with her 2023 killingCudjoe Young was indicted this month on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, arson and moreTwo other suspects are also facing charges related to the killing of 22-year-old Mercedes VegaA man accused by authorities of robbing an exotic dancer at gunpoint in Arizona has now been charged in connection with her killing.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCudjoe Young was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, arson, armed robbery and more, according to an indictment filed in Maricopa County Superior Court on July 24 and obtained by PEOPLE.The indictment also names Sencere Hayes, who was arrested in November 2024 in connection with 22-year-old Mercedes Vega’s 2023 killing. Hayes was also indicted this month on the same charges as Young, PEOPLE confirms. A third suspect’s name is redacted in the indictment.PEOPLE couldn't immediately identify attorneys for the suspects. It's also unclear if they have entered pleas. According to AZ Family, Young said Tuesday, July 29 that he plans to represent himself in upcoming court hearings.Authorities said Vega was kidnapped from the parking lot of her Tempe residence on April 16, 2023 and found dead the next day in a burning car, according to court documents cited by AZ Central, NBC News and AZ Family. A medical examiner determined Vega had suffered blunt force trauma and was shot, in addition to having bleach poured down her throat, the outlets reported.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAZ Family reports that the medical examiner also determined that Vega died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was still alive when the fire was started.https://people.com/app/scene?sceneId=9de86c07-a15a-409e-8382-c1ab68eaf839&shortlink=kz7l4cuf&c=People.com%20Homepage%20Fourth%20Wall%20Revise%20Download%20070725&pid=People.com&af_xp=custom&source_caller=uiMercedes Vega/FacebookMercedes VegaWant to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. According to court documents cited by NBC News, Vega was scheduled to testify in an armed robbery case involving Young on the day she was found dead. The outlet reports that Vega claimed Young robbed her at gunpoint after she ended her shift at a strip club in Phoenix in October 2020.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInvestigators allege Young paid two people to pick up the car where Vega was found dead and that he was linked to plane tickets bought by the two other suspects, according to NBC News and AZ Central.In her obituary, Vega was remembered as a straight-A student who played the violin and "always stood up for others and protected those who could not protect themselves."Read the original article on PeopleSolve the daily Crossword28,273 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?28,273 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?CrosswordPlay on YahooAdvertisementAdvertisement