Full Breakdown
19-Year-Old Suspect Arrested in the Stabbing Death of Carmen Lizet Puch
8/20/2026, 3:01:22 AM
Core Facts of the Homicide
Fairfax County police announced that Alexis Antonio Cedillos-Campos, 19, was taken into custody in Prince George’s County, Maryland, on a second-degree murder charge for the killing of 42-year-old Carmen Lizet Puch. Puch was discovered by a jogger just before 7 a.m. in the gravel parking lot of Difficult Run Park, adjacent to Georgetown Pike. She had multiple stab wounds and had been doused with gasoline siphoned from the suspect’s motorcycle and placed in a water bottle. Police allege Cedillos-Campos and Puch, who worked together at the Bitez restaurant in Herndon, met intentionally at the park, where the suspect repeatedly stabbed her and attempted, unsuccessfully, to set her on fire.
Background on the Suspect’s Immigration Status
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Cedillos-Campos entered the United States illegally from El Salvador after being apprehended by Customs and Border Protection near El Paso, Texas, in April 2024. He was subsequently released into the country, a decision DHS linked to the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
Official Statements & Responses
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis described the killing as “reprehensible” and said the investigation is still uncovering possible motives. Capt. Jason Chandler urged community members to share any observations from around 7 a.m. on the day of the incident. The Fairfax County Fugitive Squad, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Prince George’s County police collaborated to locate and apprehend the suspect.
Data & Statistics
- Victim: Carmen Lizet Puch, 42, Reston, Virginia.
- Suspect: Alexis Antonio Cedillos-Campos, 19, undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.
- Weapon: Large fixed-blade knife, black latex gloves, water bottle filled with gasoline.
- Location: Parking area of Difficult Run Park, a trailhead within Great Falls National Park.
- Charges: Second-degree murder.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Police have not confirmed whether any additional individuals were involved; investigators have stated there is “no evidence” of another participant but continue to examine a black sedan captured in surveillance footage.
- The precise motive remains undetermined; officials note the intimate relationship between the victim and suspect but have not ruled out other relational dynamics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are still uncovering the many layers of motive that exists when two people are involved in a relationship, and where another relationship may exist as well,” — Kevin Davis, county police chief
What’s Next
Fairfax County detectives are seeking any surveillance video or eyewitness accounts from the time of the attack and have provided a tip line (1-866-411-8477). The suspect remains in custody pending extradition to Virginia, and further details are expected in subsequent briefings.
