Ex of NJ kindergarten teacher found in a shallow grave had pickax, shovel and rope in his car

A pickax, a shovel and a bloodstained rope were found in a vehicle linked to the ex-husband of a slain New Jersey teacher days before her body was found in a shallow grave, court documents revealed. 

Cesar Santana, 36, appeared in court on Wednesday where he faced several charges, including murder, in the death of Luz Hernandez, 33, a kindergarten teacher at a Jersey City charter school. 

New chilling details from the affidavit revealed that a search of Santana’s Honda found bloody items including a large black and yellow bin with wheels, a pickax, a shovel, clear plastic sheeting and a rope, NBC News reported. 

While some of the items were bloody, there were black hairs on others, and there was soil on the sheeting.

Santana was arrested on February 10 in Miami and extradited to New Jersey on Tuesday night. A second suspect in the murder, Lenier Miranda Lopez, 26, is still being sought by police. 

Cesar Santana, 36, appeared in court on Wednesday where he faced charges in the death of Luz Hernandez, 33, (pictured) a kindergarten teacher at a Jersey City charter school

New chilling details revealed that a search of Santana’s Honda found bloody items including a large black and yellow bin with wheels, a pickax, a shovel, clear plastic sheeting and a rope

Police are still searching for Leiner Lopez, 26. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office

Hernandez, a beloved kindergarten teacher and mother of three, was reported missing by Santana and family members on February 6 when she did not show up to teach. Santana is the father of their three children. 

Hernandez’s body was found in a shallow grave hours later in Kearney, New Jersey. Her death was caused by blunt force trauma of the head and compressions to the neck, according to the affidavit. 

The investigation later revealed that on February 4, Santana was spotted walking to Hernandez’s house in Jersey City and then walking from the house an hour later carrying a black and yellow bin, the affidavit revealed. It has not been released who saw this take place. 

The next day during a traffic stop on February 5, Santana was issued a motor vehicle summons after he and a second person were seen loading a black and yellow bin into a Honda in Kearney, New Jersey, which had an expired registration. 

Two days later, on February 7, Jersey City police officers conducted a welfare check at Hernandez’s home and discovered the faint smell of bleach, according to the affidavit. They found bloodstains in the bedroom and cleaning supplies. 

Santana was arrested Friday and taken into custody with the help of the US Marshals Service after authorities tracked him to Florida.

Lopez is still being sought by police in connection with the case, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is urging anyone with information on the fugitive to come forward. He’s been charged with desecrating human remains.

Santana has been charged with murder, hindering, tampering with physical evidence and failing to dispose of human remains in a manner prescribed by law, the Hudson County prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

Hernandez’s body was found in a shallow grave hours later in Kearney, New Jersey. Her death was caused by blunt force trauma of the head and compressions to the neck

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Hernandez, a beloved kindergarten teacher and mother of three, was reported missing by Santana and family members on February 6 when she did not show up to teach. Santana is the father of their three children

The teacher’s sister told ABC7 prior to Santana’s arrest that the couple had been separated since November, but he remained in her home, giving excuses as to why he couldn’t leave

The slain teacher’s sister told ABC7 prior to Santana’s arrest that the couple had been separated since November, but he remained in her home, constantly giving excuses as to why he couldn’t leave.

Her sister also claimed the couple had a tumultuous relationship, with Hernandez frequently confiding in family members that she felt she may be in physical danger.

Hernandez was first reported missing after she failed to show up for work at a charter school on February 6, leading police to perform a welfare check on her home in Jersey City.

A murder probe was subsequently launched when blood spatters were found at her home, with the grisly discovery leading to the issuance of a search warrant.

Hours later, Hernandez’s body was found in an industrial section of Kearny, surrounded by trucking companies, an area three miles from her home.

Hernandez’ cousin revealed that when Santana was asked about Hernandez’s whereabouts following her disappearance, he said that she ‘went out.’

On a GoFundMe page that has been set up for Hernandez’s children, a family member wrote that she was a victim of domestic violence.

According to Hernandez’s fundraising page, she was a native of the Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. at the age of five. Her page has raised over $49,163.