Selbyville, Del. — A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 71-year-old family member, who was discovered abandoned in a ditch. Authorities report that Jesus Palacio-Hernandez’s arrest follows an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.
Delaware State Police responded to a residence on Pinto Drive shortly after 8:30 a.m. on February 2, 2026. A family member had initiated a call to emergency services after a troubling conversation with Palacio-Hernandez raised concerns about the victim’s well-being. When troopers arrived, they were informed that family members had located the deceased in a ditch behind the home, where she was later pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Services.
Law enforcement indicated that an early investigation suggested a violent confrontation had occurred between Palacio-Hernandez and the victim during the night prior to the discovery of her body. Following the altercation, police allege that he moved the victim’s body to the ditch.
Authorities managed to locate Palacio-Hernandez in the Selbyville area within a short time frame. He was taken into custody without incident after a traffic stop, underscoring the swift response from law enforcement.
Details regarding the specific relationship between the suspect and the victim have not yet been disclosed. However, the incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about domestic violence within families, a grim reality that affects many communities.
Palacio-Hernandez has been held at the Sussex Correctional Institution on a cash bond set at $1 million. The case raises critical questions about domestic abuse and the support systems available for those in vulnerable situations.
For anyone affected by domestic violence, assistance is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or online at www.thehotline.org.