MOTHER, 42, FOUND FATALLY STABBED NEAR VIRGINIA HIKING TRAIL — POLICE SAY SHE SENT SUSPECT’S GIRLFRIEND SCREENSHOTS OF THEIR AFFAIR

VIRGINIA — What began as an intimate relationship between a 42-year-old mother and a 19-year-old man has now turned into a devastating homicide investigation — and police say a series of screenshots may have played a key role in what happened next.

Carmen Lizet Puch, a mother of a 3-year-old daughter, was found unconscious near her vehicle at Difficult Run Park in Great Falls, Virginia, on August 17.

She would not survive.

Authorities have now charged Alexis Antonio Cedillos-Campos, 19, with second-degree murder in connection with Puch’s death.

But investigators say the events leading up to the tragedy may have begun with a secret relationship — and a message that allegedly exposed it.

THE SCREENSHOTS THAT POLICE SAY CHANGED EVERYTHING

According to an arrest warrant obtained by multiple news outlets, investigators spoke with a witness who allegedly provided crucial information about the hours before Puch was found.

The witness reportedly told police that Cedillos-Campos had learned Puch had sent screenshots of their affair to his girlfriend.

That discovery, investigators allege, became part of the motive behind the killing.

Police say the suspect and Puch had been involved in an intimate relationship.

The witness allegedly told investigators that Cedillos-Campos had planned to harm Puch and that the two arranged to meet.

Then came a chilling phone call.

According to the warrant, the witness said Cedillos-Campos later called and indicated that he had carried out the plan.

The witness then contacted police.

Authorities have not said exactly what was contained in the screenshots or when Puch sent them to the suspect’s girlfriend.

But investigators believe the alleged affair and its exposure are central to understanding the case.

POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT LEFT WORK WITH KNIFE AND OTHER ITEMS

Investigators have also reconstructed Cedillos-Campos’ movements that morning.

Police say he and Puch both worked at the same restaurant.

According to authorities, surveillance footage allegedly showed Cedillos-Campos leaving the restaurant carrying a stolen knife, gloves and a water bottle.

Investigators believe the bottle was later used to siphon gasoline from his motorcycle.

Those details, police say, suggest the encounter at the park may not have been spontaneous.

Authorities allege Cedillos-Campos went to meet Puch after making preparations.

THE DISCOVERY AT DIFFICULT RUN PARK

Later that morning, Puch was found unconscious near her vehicle at Difficult Run Park.

Police say she had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Emergency responders rushed her for medical treatment, but she could not be saved.

At a news conference, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis described Puch as a “loving mother” who left behind a 3-year-old daughter.

Her young daughter is now left without her mother.

POLICE ALLEGE AN ATTEMPT TO SET THE BODY ON FIRE

Investigators say the case became even more disturbing after they examined what happened at the park.

Police allege that Cedillos-Campos repeatedly stabbed Puch and then poured gasoline on her body in an unsuccessful attempt to set it on fire.

The alleged effort to conceal or destroy evidence is now part of the investigation.

Authorities say gasoline had apparently been taken from the suspect’s motorcycle using the water bottle he had carried from the restaurant.

The details have not been independently proven in court, and Cedillos-Campos is presumed innocent unless convicted.

A WITNESS MAY HAVE HELPED POLICE CONNECT THE PIECES

The investigation appears to have accelerated after a witness came forward.

According to the arrest warrant, that person allegedly knew about Cedillos-Campos’ plans and later received a phone call in which the suspect indicated that he had carried them out.

The witness then alerted authorities.

That information, combined with surveillance footage and evidence recovered during the investigation, helped detectives build their case.

Police subsequently arrested Cedillos-Campos.

HE ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED

At a press conference, Chief Davis said Cedillos-Campos was “fully confessing to our detectives.”

However, it remains unclear from the latest reporting whether he has entered a plea or retained an attorney who has publicly spoken on his behalf.

The second-degree murder charge remains an allegation at this stage.

A 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL LEFT BEHIND

Behind the investigation is a family facing a loss that cannot be undone.

Carmen Puch was not simply a name in a police report.

She was a mother.

She had a 3-year-old daughter who now has to grow up without her.

And according to investigators, a private relationship that became exposed through screenshots may have ended with a devastating loss for an entire family.

The case is still developing as prosecutors work to establish exactly what happened at Difficult Run Park and what led Cedillos-Campos to allegedly target Puch.

For investigators, the screenshots may be one piece of the puzzle.

For Puch’s family, however, the tragedy is much larger:

A mother went to meet someone she knew — and her 3-year-old daughter never got her back.