A youth soccer coach murder charge has been filed after authorities discovered the body of 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez on the side of a road in Oxnard, California.
Oscar, who lived in the San Fernando Valley, was reported missing on March 30, 2025. According to investigators, he was last seen visiting his soccer coach, Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino, in Lancaster.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), in collaboration with the FBI, launched an intensive search that led them to an unincorporated area of Ventura County. There, on April 2, 2025, they discovered a body matching Oscar’s description.
Youth Soccer Coach Charged with Murder and Lewd Acts
Mario Garcia Aquino, 43, now faces a youth soccer coach murder charge along with a special circumstance allegation of committing murder during the course or attempted course of lewd acts with a child.
This enhancement could make Garcia Aquino eligible for the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Previously, he had been arrested in an unrelated sexual assault case involving a 16-year-old boy in February 2024. During the ongoing investigation, another allegation surfaced involving a 14-year-old boy from December 2022.
Community Grieves Loss of Promising Teen
Oscar’s family and friends gathered at the scene in Oxnard to honor his life and mourn his loss. His mother, Gladys Bautista, devastated by the tragedy, stated, “He didn’t need to be treated like an animal. That was my son.”
The community remembered Oscar as a vibrant teen and a passionate dancer who brought joy to his friends and family.
Legal Process and Continued Investigation
The arraignment for Garcia Aquino has been delayed until June 18, 2025, as prosecutors build their case surrounding the youth soccer coach murder charge.
Law enforcement officials encourage anyone with relevant information or past allegations to come forward. They emphasized that immigration status will not be a concern for those helping the investigation.
The LAPD, FBI, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office continue to collaborate, vowing to bring full justice for Oscar Hernandez and ensure the safety of other children in the community.
