FRISCO, CO – A 19-year-old man is facing murder charges after authorities say he killed and dismembered his girlfriend, hiding her remains beneath their bed in a gruesome slaying that has shaken the quiet mountain community.

Luis Antonio Mendez Hernandez was arrested late last month in connection with the death of Griselda Amarilis Lopez-Racancoj, the 20-year-old mother of his child. He has been charged with multiple counts of murder, including first-degree murder after deliberation, first-degree murder with extreme indifference, second-degree murder, and tampering with a deceased human body.

Police were dispatched to a residence in Frisco just after midnight on December 29, 2025, responding to what was initially described as a medical emergency. Upon arrival, officers were directed by two female residents to a bedroom where, beneath the bed, they discovered the body of Lopez-Racancoj concealed inside a white trash bag.

Following the discovery, investigators questioned witnesses at the scene. One roommate told police that she had not seen Lopez-Racancoj since the evening of December 27, when she and Hernandez were heard arguing. She also reported seeing new scratch marks on Hernandez’s neck and chest when he reappeared at the residence two days later.

Detectives secured a search warrant for the premises and later located a blood-stained steak knife inside Hernandez’s bedroom closet. Blood patterns found on pillows in the room reportedly resembled those consistent with being forcibly pressed against someone’s face.

Additional interviews with another roommate revealed that Hernandez had sent unusual text messages on the night of December 28, suggesting that Lopez-Racancoj was suicidal. However, when pressed about her whereabouts, Hernandez allegedly offered no explanation.

During a post-Miranda interview with detectives, Hernandez described returning home late on December 27 and finding Lopez-Racancoj already asleep. He claimed to have discovered her cold and unresponsive several hours later, but said he was too shocked and fearful of being suspected to call for help. Hernandez went on to suggest that Lopez-Racancoj might have died by suicide, further speculating that she had been the target of harassment from another man.

Authorities say Hernandez offered no account for the visible injuries on his neck and chest besides claiming they were self-inflicted. The affidavit details how, instead of contacting authorities, he allegedly concealed her body under their bed and used Google to search for ways to dispose of a body.

Police took Hernandez into custody the same day Lopez-Racancoj’s remains were discovered. The probable cause affidavit, initially sealed by the court, became public Wednesday, offering insight into the disturbing evidence collected by detectives.

Hernandez is currently being held in the Summit County Jail on a $5 million bond. Information regarding his next court appearance has not been released.