Man Convicted of Killing KFC Coworker Who Tried to Break Up With Him

A jury in Montgomery County found a man guilty on Friday of killing a 21-year-old mother after she tried to break off their relationship.

Dania Mendez de Guerra died after she was attacked by 47-year-old Elmer Marilan Campos-Martinez last November. She was 21 and had moved to the U.S. less than a year before in search of a better life.

"She might have been involved with an unsavory character," said Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office spokesman Ramon Korionoff. "Somebody was lured into the affair, but in the end, she didn't deserve to die. And this verdict is justice served."

The jury deliberated for three hours before returning the guilty verdict. Campos-Martinez has not yet been sentenced, but the prosecutor recommended life in prison.

De Guerra's husband reported her missing after she never got home from working the night shift at the KFC restaurant on University Boulevard West in Wheaton, police said. She had never failed to return home to her husband and 4-year-old child. Her body was found near a CVS several days later.

Text messages De Guerra and Campos-Martinzez were translated from Spanish to English and shown in court, showing the couple's disagreements.

In one message she asked, "Elmer, why do you have these women on Facebook?"

He replied, "Don't pay attention to this, my love, those are viruses, I want you. I love you."

De Guerra wrote back, "Hahaha, you think I'm stupid."

Police said Campos-Martinez confessed that he assaulted de Guerra after an argument outside work, News4 reported.

A regular customer of the KFC remembered her as kind, News4 reported.

"She was nice. Always pleasant and friendly," he said.  

The KFC restaurant where de Guerra and Campos-Martinez worked closed early after her body was found and coworkers said they were too distraught.