Man Arrested for Murder of 71-Year Old Family Member in Selbyville

Selbyville, DE - The Delaware State Police have arrested Jesus Palacio-Hernandez, 28, in connection with a homicide in Selbyville, Delaware. He has been charged with the murder of a 71-year-old family member.

Troopers responded to a residence on the 37000 block of Pinto Drive at approximately 8:30 a.m. on February 2, 2026. A relative contacted 9-1-1 after they were unable to locate the victim.

Family members subsequently discovered the victim in a ditch behind the property. Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and pronounced her deceased.

Investigators learned that a concerning phone conversation took place between Palacio-Hernandez and a family member before police were called.

Palacio-Hernandez was later located driving in the Selbyville area. He was taken into custody during a traffic stop without incident.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has assumed the investigation.

Preliminary findings suggest that an altercation occurred between Palacio-Hernandez and the victim inside the residence during the overnight hours.

It is alleged that the suspect physically assaulted the victim and then moved her body to the ditch where she was later found.

Palacio-Hernandez was transported to Troop 4 and charged with Murder First Degree. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11. He has been committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $1,000,000 cash bond.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.