Man, 18, Charged With Statutory Rape And Manslaughter After North Carolina Girl, 14, Found Dead

An 18-year-old has been charged with statutory rape and manslaughter after a 14-year-old girl was found dead in North Carolina.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit is currently conducting a homicide investigation near the 2600 block of Olando Street in the Metro Division, in the city of Charlotte in the US state of North Carolina.

A statement released by the city of Charlotte and obtained by Newsflash said that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a call about an assault with a deadly weapon.

Junio Alexis Ramos Estrada (18) suspected for the death of a 14-year-old girl in north Charlotte. (Mecklenburg County Jail/Newsflash)

After arriving on the scene, The CMPD officers found a young girl, 14, named as Vanessa Sarai Santos Garcia, suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The statement said: “Officers attempted to render lifesaving efforts and treatment to the subject prior to Medic’s arrival. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene by Medic.” (sic)

The victim’s family was also notified of her death, according to the police.

Forensic investigators were called to the scene, with the statement saying: “Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives of the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team, CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services, Crime Stoppers, CFD, and Medic also assisted.”

As a result, a suspect who has been named as Junio Alexis Ramos Estrada was identified and arrested.

He has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, statutory rape and possession of a stolen firearm. The origin of the firearm is currently unknown. The statement from the city of Charlotte said: “After an interview with detectives, Ramos was arrested and charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Statutory Rape of a Person Who is 13, 14 or 15 Years Old by a Defendant Who is More Than Four but Less than Six Years Older Than the Victim and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.”

Olando Street in North Charlotte where Vanessa Sarai Santos Garcia was found dead in November 2021. (Newsflash)

He is currently being held at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Details pertaining to how the incident unfolded have yet to be released.

The statement invited people with information to come forwards, saying: “As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective Tisdale is the lead detective assigned to this case.

“The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20211127132300.”