Delaware man charged after 71-year-old family member found dead in ditch: Police

A Delaware man has been arrested and charged after police allege he killed a 71-year-old family member and abandoned her in a ditch.

Jesus Palacio-Hernandez, 28, has been charged with murder in the first degree, following an investigation, police said.

According to Delaware State Police, on February 2, 2026, around 8:30 a.m., troopers responded to a residence on the 37000 block of Pinto Drive in Selbyville after a 71-year-old female was found deceased in a ditch behind the property. 

Upon arrival, police said troopers learned that following a concerning phone conversation with Palacio-Hernandez, 28, a family member was unable to locate the victim and contacted 911.  

While troopers were responding to the scene, family members found the victim in a ditch behind the residence, where she was confirmed dead by Emergency Medical Services, police shared.

Police said Palacio-Hernandez was then located in the Selbyville area and taken into custody without incident following a traffic stop.

A preliminary investigation revealed that during the overnight hours, Palacio-Hernandez had an altercation with the victim inside the residence.  He physically assaulted the victim and then moved her body to a ditch, where she was later found.

Police have not yet shared how Palacio-Hernandez and the victim are related.

Palacio-Hernandez was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.