A 19-year-old in New Mexico is accused of arranging for a friend to kill his father and stepmother so he could claim an inheritance, according to an affidavit filed in support of his arrest.
Darren Munoz, 19, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and criminal solicitation in connection with the deaths of his father, Oscar Munoz, 58, and his stepmother, Dina, 71, the Clovis Police Department said.
Julio Zamora, 18, is also charged with two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, police said.
Officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a home in Clovis on Dec. 15 just before 5 a.m. When they arrived, they found the garage door open. Munoz allegedly told officers that “everything had been fine there,” the affidavit states.
When an officer said he intended to check on Munoz’s parents, Munoz allegedly tried to discourage him from going inside, saying his parents slept in the n*de. Munoz eventually led the officer into the home and went into their bedroom, according to the affidavit.
When he returned, his hands were allegedly covered in blood.
Officers then entered the room and found Munoz’s father and stepmother had been shot, the affidavit states. Oscar was “still showing signs of life although he had suffered a gunshot wound to the head,” according to the affidavit. Dina was pronounced dead at the scene.
Munoz allegedly told investigators his parents had spent the weekend in San Antonio for their anniversary while he stayed home alone. According to the affidavit, he said that after his parents returned, they brought home food and he went to bed between 9 and 10 p.m. He later said he woke up hours afterward after hearing the garage door alarm.
Investigators say Munoz gave conflicting statements about whether he called 911. The affidavit states that call logs showed he did, and that when confronted, Munoz admitted he had called to report the alleged burglary.
Police said Munoz told officers he had been spending time with his girlfriend, who witnesses said had been at the home over the weekend. An acquaintance later contacted police, alleging there had been “a plan in place for several weeks or months” between Munoz and two friends to kill his parents, according to the affidavit.
The acquaintance claimed that “Darren wanted to take over the parents belongings/finances and this is how they would do it,” the affidavit states. The acquaintance also alleged there had been a plan for Munoz to trade an AR rifle for a “ghost glock” or another pistol without a serial number.
In an interview with police, Munoz’s girlfriend said he “wanted his father’s money” and that Zamora “agreed to kill Darren’s parents in exchange for the money when Darren got some,” according to the affidavit.
Investigators allege the belief was that Oscar owned a convenience store franchise and that if he died, the money would go to his son.
According to the affidavit, the girlfriend said the plan was for Zamora to enter through the garage and shoot Munoz’s parents while they were in bed.
While executing a search warrant on Munoz’s phone, investigators say they found messages between Munoz and Zamora in which Munoz allegedly told Zamora his parents were not home yet but were on their way.
“Darren also told Julio his parents would let him know when they were on their way and he would relay this info to Julio,” the affidavit states.
Home security footage also allegedly showed Munoz hiding a pistol in his waistband around 5 p.m. the night before the killings, investigators said.
Zamora was later arrested as he left his home and allegedly had a ghost gun in his possession, police said.
“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,” the affidavit claims.
Both teens are being held at the Curry County Adult Detention Center, and both have pleaded not guilty.
Munoz’s next court appearance is set for Dec. 22, and Zamora’s hearing is set for Dec. 23.
