A third individual implicated in the 2023 murder of an Arizona woman has been brought from Georgia to face legal proceedings.

Jared Gray is accused of nine offenses, including first-degree murder, concerning the death of Mercedes Vega. Her body was discovered in a burning vehicle along Interstate 10 near Tonopah in April 2023, KSAZ reported.

The medical examiner’s findings revealed that Vega suffered blunt force injuries and a gunshot wound to her arm, with bleach detected in her throat, according to CrimeOnline. Her death was ultimately caused by smoke inhalation.

Sencere Hayes was apprehended in Tennessee for the murder in late 2024, and Cudjoe Young had been charged the previous year, as reported by NBC News.

At the time of her abduction and murder, Vega was preparing to provide testimony against Young in an armed robbery trial, having been taken from her apartment’s parking area.

Prosecutors in Maricopa County have filed intent to seek the death penalty for Young and Hayes; they have not made a determination for Gray.

Gray is being held on a $4 million bond and is expected in court next week for arraignment.