Arizona fugitive arrested in Chattanooga for murder

Sencere Hayes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A wanted fugitive from Arizona has been arrested in Chattanooga for a murder that occurred a year and a half ago.

According to an affidavit, Sencere Hayes was arrested Monday, November 11, 2024.

Mercedes Vega / Briana Whitney (X)

Hayes was wanted in connection to the murder of Mercedes Vega back in Maricopa County, Arizona.

AZFamily reports Vega was found burning alive in a car near West Valley.

Vega went missing April 16, 2023.

Surveillance video showed her walking to her car that was parked in her apartment parking garage.

Her car was later found abandoned in Tempe, Arizona near Culinary Dropout.

Vega’s body was found in a separate car near Interstate 10, a couple miles west of Tonopah.

Reports say the car was set on fire.

AZFamily also got a report from the medical examiner, saying she was shot in the arm, hit in the head and had bleach in her throat

The report also said she was still alive when the fire started.

The report concluded with her dying from smoke inhalation.

The affidavit lists Haye’s home address as a Chattanooga address.

His charge in Hamilton County is listed as Fugitive (Arrest for Crime in Another State).