Undocumented Man Identified As Fatal Carjacking Suspect: Sheriff

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — An undocumented migrant is the suspect in the fatal carjacking of a woman in Sterling Sunday, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer for Jose Aguilar-Martinez, 21. The sheriff's office believes Aguilar-Martinez is from El Salvador and has a California-issued driver’s license. He has no fixed address but was recently living in Sterling.

Aguilar-Martinez was arraigned on Tuesday, and additional charges are expected from the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney. He remains held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

"This is another reminder of why it is essential that localities collaborate with our federal counterparts charged with enforcing U.S. immigration laws," said Sheriff Mike Chapman in a statement.

The Sunday carjacking in the 21000 block of Towncenter Plaza killed the victim and car owner, Melody Waldecker, 54, of Silver Spring, Maryland. According to the sheriff's office, Waldecker was struck by the stolen vehicle as the suspect fled the scene. Waldecker was pronounced dead.

A GoFundMe account for Waldecker's family identified her as a mother of four and grandmother of eight who dedicated her life to health care. The fundraiser proceeds will support her husband and children.

"Losing a mother/grandmother is one of the hardest things to go through, I am asking the community to help come together and support the family in giving Melody the funeral she deserves," wrote fundraiser organizer Aspen Elvir.

The sheriff's office said it cooperates with ICE when it issues detainers for undocumented migrants. In the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years to date, ICE issued 479 detainers for arrests in Loudoun County. ICE took 248 of them into custody, and 96 of the suspects were ultimately deported.