Unmasking the Murder of Kendra Hatcher

On September 2, 2015, 35-year-old pediatric dentist Kendra Hatcher was shot and killed in the parking garage of her Uptown apartment complex in Dallas. Just one day before she was scheduled to leave for a vacation to Cancun with her new boyfriend, her life was taken in what investigators would later describe as a carefully orchestrated murder-for-hire plot.

What initially appeared to be a shocking, random act of violence quickly unraveled into a calculated conspiracy driven by jealousy and obsession.

A Targeted Execution in Broad Daylight

Kendra had just returned home from work when she was ambushed in the parking garage. She was shot at close range in the head. There were no signs of a struggle, suggesting she likely never saw her attacker coming.

Investigators initially had few leads. Surveillance footage from the garage was limited, and there was no immediate suspect. However, detectives quickly determined this was not a robbery or random crime — it was targeted.

The precision of the attack pointed to planning. Someone had known where she would be and when.

The Shocking Motive: Jealousy and Revenge

As detectives examined Kendra’s personal life, attention turned to her boyfriend, Dr. Dallas B. Daugherty. Though he was not involved in the crime, investigators uncovered a critical connection through him.

His former girlfriend, Brenda Delgado, had recently learned about his new relationship with Kendra. Delgado, who had dated Daugherty previously, was reportedly devastated and obsessed after their breakup. According to prosecutors, she viewed Kendra as the woman who had replaced her — and she could not accept it.

Rather than move on, Delgado began plotting revenge.

The Murder-for-Hire Plot

Authorities later revealed that Delgado recruited Kristopher Love to carry out the killing. Love, who had a criminal history, agreed to commit the murder in exchange for payment.

He was assisted by Crystal Cortes, who drove the getaway vehicle.

On the day of the murder, Love waited in the garage for Kendra to arrive. When she exited her vehicle, he approached and shot her before fleeing the scene.

Evidence presented in court later showed that Delgado had tracked Kendra’s movements and knew about her upcoming Cancun trip. Prosecutors argued that jealousy and resentment fueled her decision to orchestrate the killing.

An International Manhunt

As investigators closed in, Delgado fled to Mexico. In April 2016, she was added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list — becoming one of the few women ever placed on it.

Her addition to the list brought national attention to the case. After several months on the run, Delgado was captured in Torreón, Mexico, and extradited to the United States to face charges.

Meanwhile, Love and Cortes were arrested and charged with capital murder.

Trial and Sentencing

In 2018, Kristopher Love was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death.

Crystal Cortes testified against Delgado as part of a plea agreement and received a reduced sentence.

In 2019, Brenda Delgado was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors described Delgado as the mastermind — the driving force behind a cold, deliberate plot born out of obsession.

A Community Forever Changed

Kendra Hatcher was remembered not for the violence that ended her life, but for her warmth, compassion, and dedication to her young dental patients. Friends and family described her as kind, driven, and full of light.

Her murder deeply impacted the Dallas community and sparked conversations about:

• The dangers of obsessive behavior

• Warning signs in toxic relationships

• The devastating consequences of jealousy

What made the crime especially chilling was how calculated it was — a reminder that sometimes the greatest threats are not random, but personal.

Kendra’s Legacy

Though her life was tragically cut short, Kendra’s memory continues through the Kendra Hatcher Memorial Foundation. The foundation focuses on honoring her legacy and raising awareness about relationship violence and emotional warning signs that can escalate into tragedy.

Her story stands as a sobering reminder of how unchecked obsession can spiral into irreversible devastation.

Justice was served in the courtroom — but for Kendra’s family and loved ones, the loss remains immeasurable.

Her legacy lives on not in the horror of that parking garage, but in the lives she touched and the awareness her story continues to bring.