Four suspected MS-13 members indicted in 14-year-old Washington teen’s killing; body found in Maryland park

Case centers on the disappearance and death of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala

Four people described by investigators as members of MS-13 have been indicted in connection with the death of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala of Washington, D.C., after his remains were found in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

The case spans multiple jurisdictions in the Washington region. Amaya-Ayala was reported missing in August 2025 after he was last seen in the Brightwood neighborhood of Northwest Washington, near the 1400 block of Sheridan Street. In early November 2025, authorities located human remains in a park in Prince George’s County; investigators later identified the remains as Amaya-Ayala’s.

Charges filed and what investigators say happened

Prince George’s County authorities have identified the indicted suspects as Jose Merlos-Majano, Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla, William Cuellar Gutierrez, and a 17-year-old. The indictments include charges of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and participation in a criminal organization.

Investigators have said the teen was deceived into going to a park in Prince George’s County, where he was killed. Authorities have also stated that the death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner after forensic review.

As with all criminal cases, an indictment is a formal accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Timeline of key events

• Aug. 2, 2025: Amaya-Ayala was last seen in Northwest Washington, D.C., and subsequently reported missing.

• Nov. 3, 2025: Authorities located remains in Indian Creek Stream Valley Park in College Park, Maryland, and later identified them as Amaya-Ayala’s.

• 2026: Prosecutors announced indictments against the four suspects, including allegations tying the case to MS-13.

What the case illustrates about regional enforcement

The investigation reflects the operational reality of violent-crime cases in the D.C. region, where victims, suspects, and crime scenes may cross city and county lines, requiring coordination among agencies. It also underscores the use of racketeering-style and “criminal organization” charges that prosecutors sometimes pursue when they allege a homicide is connected to an organized gang structure.

Anyone with information about Amaya-Ayala’s disappearance or death is typically urged by investigators to contact local law enforcement handling the case.

Court proceedings are expected to determine the admissible evidence, the defendants’ legal positions, and whether the case proceeds to trial or is resolved through other outcomes.