Woman and girlfriend wanted after mother found murdered in Maryland home

SILVER SPRING, Md. (WBFF) — Federal agents have joined the search for a woman and her girlfriend who are accused of murdering the woman’s mother in Montgomery County.

Warrants have been issued for the arrests of Vanessa Tjongarero- Henderson, 29, of Clarksburg, Maryland, and her girlfriend Samantha Raebel, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, investigators confirmed.

According to the Montgomery County Police Department, on May 26, 2026, officers were called to the 1300 block of Fenwick Lane in Silver Spring, Maryland, for a welfare check.

“There was concern for the well-being of a woman who lives at this particular address,” said Jennifer Mazza, Deputy Marshal with the US Marshals Service.

ALSO READ | Man convicted in father’s murder accused of escaping Baltimore re-entry facility

Investigators said inside the home they found Henderson’s mother, 67-year-old Hilde Henderson, deceased.

“It appeared Henderson had been dead for several days. Investigators had her body transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy,” said Mazza.

According to investigators, Henderson’s death was ruled a homicide.

The Montgomery County Police Department is remaining tight-lipped about how they believe Henderson was killed, as well as a believed motive, but have identified her daughter, Tjongarero-Henderson, and her daughter’s girlfriend, Raebel, as the suspects in the case.

Both are facing a charge of first-degree murder.

The US Marshals Service has now joined the search for Henderson and Raebel.

The federal agency is asking those in Maryland and beyond state lines to be on the lookout.

ALSO READ | Mother released, flees before learning fate in 10-month-old’s homicide

According to the US Marshals Service, Henderson and Raebel have criminal histories that date back to their juvenile years.

“These are two women accused of taking another woman’s life,” said Mazza. “For one suspect, this was her own mother. Both women should be considered armed and dangerous. They’re known to have violent tendencies and to abuse drugs. For these reasons we’re urging the public to please be on the lookout and contact authorities so we can take these women into custody.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these suspects can report it anonymously to Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-8477.

According to Montgomery County Police, tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of $250 to $10,000.

Tips can also be provided anonymously to the US Marshals Service at 703-407-9896.