Man arrested for murder of college student found dead in her Raleigh apartment

April 7, 2021- 7:30 p.m

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A 20-year-old was arrested Wednesday in connection with the murder of a young woman found dead in her apartment near North Carolina State University.

Raleigh police said Eric Gael Hernandez-Mendez, 20, was charged with murder and taken to the Wake County Detention Center.

Officers responded to the 1500 block of Hillsborough Street on Sunday after it was reported that Christina Maria Matos, 20, didn’t show up for her birthday party on Saturday. She was a student at Wake Tech and had just turned 20 years old on Friday. Her parents said she went out to celebrate with friends Friday night and that was the last time she was seen.

“We want to figure out what happened with Christina,” her mom, Yolanda Matos, said through tears Monday afternoon. “We want justice for her.”

On Wednesday, college students who live in the area said they feel unsafe in light of the homicide investigation, even though Raleigh police said there is no ongoing threat.

Friends and family held a memorial for Matos Wednesday night.

“We need justice. We need to know who do this to Christina,” Matos’ father said.