SAN DIEGO TEEN EXECUTED IN TIJUANA

18-year-old Desteny Memory Hernandez, an Imperial Beach resident, was shot seven times, suffering gunshot wounds to the thorax, abdomen and head

By Stacy Garcia, Wendy Fry and Samantha Tatro

NBC San Diego
September 15, 2016

A San Diego woman was found dead, shot seven times, after going out partying with friends in Tijuana last week, officials told NBC 7 San Diego.

The victim, who has been identified as 18-year-old Desteny Memory Hernandez, was found dead last week, according to the Baja California Attorney General's office.

Hernandez was an Imperial Beach resident with a kind and loving heart, her brother, Francisco Hernandez, told NBC San Diego.

Student registration systems show Hernandez was not currently enrolled at Mar Vista High School, despite previous reports.

The details of what happened and what lead to her death were not immediately clear. Her brother said she was out partying at a nightclub with friends on Tijuana's popular Avenida Revolucion on Wednesday, Sept. 7, the night he last heard from her.

He said he immediately knew something was wrong when he didn't hear from Desteny ecause she always stayed in touch with her family.

Text messages that are part of evidence in the case show Hernandez texted friends, saying she had just met some handsome guys and she was going to one of their houses in the El Florido neighborhood of Tijuana, La Frontera newspaper in Tijuana reported.

The Tijuana medical examiner's office received the body Thursday, Sept. 8. Her cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds to the thorax, abdomen and head, Dr. Cesar Gonzalez Vaca said. She was shot seven times. Officials said there was no signs of sexual assault.

Her body was identified by the family and released to on Tuesday, according to the medical examiner's office.

"We’re aware of the case, and we have offered our sincere condolences to the family. We’re providing all appropriate assistance and services," the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana said in a statement.

Francisco Hernandez said his sister was a fun-loving, sweet and outgoing 18-year-old senior. He remembered her as someone who always cheered everyone up, and who loved being with her family and friends. Before her body was identified, fliers had been posted on social media asking for her whereabouts.

Mexican homicide investigators are investigating the shooting, though Desteny's brother said his family does not feel comfortable talking with Tijuana police about the killing.