Police Arrest Suspect in Benicia Body Dumping Case

Marquis Davis, 39, charged with killing Damarrea Neal, 29, whose body was found burned near Lake Herman

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Police in Benicia, California have arrested 39-year-old Marquis Davis in connection with the killing of Damarrea Neal, 29, whose burned body was discovered near Lake Herman last month. The arrest came just one day after Neal's body was found.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime and body dumping incidents in the Benicia area, which has seen an uptick in such cases in recent years. The arrest of a suspect provides some closure for the community, though the motive and circumstances behind the killing remain unclear.

The details

According to a Solano County Sheriff's news release, Marquis Davis was arrested and charged with the killing of Damarrea Neal, whose body was found burned near Lake Herman. The discovery of Neal's body came just one day before Davis' arrest.

  • On February 28, 2026, the burned body of Damarrea Neal, 29, was discovered near Lake Herman in Benicia.
  • On March 5, 2026, police arrested 39-year-old Marquis Davis in connection with Neal's killing.

The players

Marquis Davis

A 39-year-old man arrested and charged with the killing of Damarrea Neal.

Damarrea Neal

A 29-year-old man whose burned body was found near Lake Herman in Benicia.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for Marquis Davis at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This arrest is a step towards justice for the victim's family, but also highlights the ongoing challenge of preventing violent crimes and illegal body dumping incidents in the Benicia area.