Death of Lindenwold woman found in Bayonne is reminiscent of death of Jersey City teacher Luz Hernandez

The death of 33-year-old Jersey City teacher Luz Hernandez is still considered an open investigation. Her body was found in a shallow grave in Kearny on Feb. 7.

Matt Trapani and Eliecer Marte

May 18, 2023, 2:23 AM

Updated 568 days ago

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The death of a Lindenwold woman whose body was found in Bayonne on Wednesday is reminiscent of the death of another New Jersey woman just three months ago.
The death of 33-year-old Jersey City teacher Luz Hernandez is still considered an open investigation. Her body was found in a shallow grave in Kearny on Feb. 7.
Hernandez was a mother of three and taught kindergarten. She was reported missing prior to the discovery of her remains.
Cesar Santana, father of Hernandez’s children, was arrested in Miami three days later. He is facing several charges related to her death, including first-degree murder. Her death is being investigated as a case of domestic violence.
Another man, identified as 26-year-old Leiner Miranda Lopez, who is also facing the same charges in connection to Hernandez’s death, remains at large.
Santana, 37, met Hernandez when she was in high school. They moved into their own place in Jersey City in 2014 after having two sons. Their youngest child is a 4-year-old girl.
Hernandez’s family claims that in March of 2022, Hernandez caught Santana having an affair with another woman and that she had asked him many times to leave the house. Her family claims he refused to do so and insisted they go to couples therapy.
Santana is currently in custody. Anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of Lopez is urged to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.