Alleged Plot: Clovis police say 19-year-old Darren Munoz arranged for a friend to kill his father and stepmother so he could inherit their assets, according to an arrest-warrant affidavit. Evidence: Investigators point to 911 call logs, phone messages, home-security footage and the alleged possession of an unregistered 'ghost gun.' Status: Both suspects have pleaded not guilty and remain in custody with hearings scheduled in late December.
New Mexico Teen Allegedly Hired Friend To Kill Parents To Secure Inheritance, Affidavit Says
Curry County JailDarren Munoz
A 19-year-old New Mexico man has been arrested and charged after investigators say he arranged the killings of his father and stepmother so he could claim their assets, according to an arrest-warrant affidavit and Clovis Police Department statements.
What Happened
Police responded to a burglary-in-progress call at a Clovis home on Dec. 15 just before 5 a.m. Officers found the garage door open and later discovered Oscar Munoz, 58, and his wife Dina, 71, shot in their bedroom. Dina was pronounced dead at the scene; Oscar was found alive but suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Charges And Suspects
Darren Munoz, 19, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and criminal solicitation. An 18-year-old, Julio Zamora, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Both have pleaded not guilty and are being held at the Curry County Adult Detention Center.
Allegations From The Affidavit
The arrest-warrant affidavit, obtained by investigators, describes a purported plan in which Munoz sought to take control of his parents' finances and belongings. An acquaintance and Munoz's girlfriend told police there had been discussions for weeks or months about killing the parents so that Munoz would inherit money they believed Oscar controlled, allegedly from a convenience store franchise.
Per the affidavit: 'The reason for the murder was motivated by money. Darren believed he would inherit a large sum of money if his mother and stepmother were out of the picture.'
Evidence Cited
Investigators cite several pieces of evidence in the affidavit: 911 call logs showing Munoz placed a call reporting a burglary, phone messages between Munoz and Zamora discussing the parents' movements, home-security video showing Munoz concealing a pistol the evening before the shootings, and the alleged discovery of a so-called 'ghost gun' in Zamora's possession at arrest.
Denials, Admissions And Next Steps
According to the affidavit, Munoz initially told officers that 'everything had been fine' at the house and at first misled investigators about whether he had called 911. When confronted with call logs, he allegedly admitted placing the call. Both teens have pleaded not guilty. Munoz's next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 22; Zamora's hearing is set for Dec. 23.
Note: All allegations described above are from the arrest-warrant affidavit and police statements. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
