4 Charged With Murder After Missing Boy's Remains Found In College Park: Police

COLLEGE PARK, MD — Four people are facing murder charges two months after a teenage boy's remains were found at a park in College Park, authorities said Saturday.

The charges stem from the killing of Jefferson Amaya-Ayala, a 14-year-old Washington, D.C., resident who was reported missing in early August, officials said.

His remains were found at Indian Creek Stream Valley Park on Nov. 3, according to the Prince George's County Police Department.

Three young men from Washington D.C. and a 17-year-old from Hyattsville have been identified as the suspects. All four are in custody.

Amaya-Ayala knew at least one suspect, police said. Preliminary investigation suggests he was lured to the park and killed on Aug. 2 — the day he went missing — according to law enforcement.

The murder appears to be gang-related, but the motive remains unknown, police said.

Last month, authorities announced that the human remains discovered in the park belonged to Amaya-Ayala. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled he died from multiple injuries in a manner of homicide.

Police have identified the adult suspects as Jose Merlos-Majano, 18; Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla, 21; and William Cuellar Gutierrez, 19 — all Washington, D.C., residents.

The juvenile suspect's name was withheld.

Cuellar Gutierrez and the juvenile suspect are jailed at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.

Merlos-Majano was arrested in Washington, D.C., and Garcia-Padilla was arrested in Alexandria, Virginia. Their extradition to Prince George's County is pending.

Anyone with information can call the Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.

Tips can be sent anonymously via pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Refer to case number 25-0061413.