A teenager faces charges of double murder for allegedly orchestrating the killing of his parents through a friend.
Darren Munoz, 19, is accused of plotting with two acquaintances over an extended period to carry out the murders of his father, Oscar Steve Munoz, 58, and stepmother, Dina Munoz, 71. The charges against him include two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and criminal solicitation.
Law enforcement responded to a potential burglary report at the Munoz residence in Clovis, New Mexico, around 4:50 am on Monday. The call was purportedly made by the teenager. Upon arrival, Munoz met the officers outside, assuring them that everything was under control. However, when asked to check on his parents, he allegedly discouraged the officers by claiming they were asleep unclothed.
Subsequently, Munoz was found with blood on his hands after entering his parents’ room. Inside, Dina Munoz was discovered deceased, while Oscar Munoz was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
An acquaintance informed the authorities that Munoz, along with two friends including Julio Zamora, had been meticulously planning the murders to gain control of his parents’ assets and finances. The motive behind the heinous act was allegedly to secure a substantial inheritance once the parents were eliminated.
Reportedly, Munoz facilitated Zamora’s entry into the house by opening the garage door at 4:42 am. Zamora then proceeded to shoot Munoz’s parents while they were asleep. Zamora was subsequently apprehended, admitting that Munoz had solicited him to carry out the killings and that the firearm seized from him was the murder weapon.
Zamora also faces charges of double murder, in addition to conspiracy to commit murder.