A teenager in New Mexico has been charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly recruited his friend to shoot his parents to death, so they could split his inheritance money, according to police. Authorities arrested Darren Munoz and Julio Zamora on Monday, December 15, after Clovis Police Department officers responded to the Munoz home in Clovis, New Mexico, that morning, according to an arrest affidavit reviewed by Law & Crime. Officers were sent out to the home after dispatchers received a 911 call regarding a potential burglary at the house. Darren, 19, greeted the officers when they arrived, telling them that "everything had been fine" at the residence. Officers then told Darren that they wanted to check on his father, Oscar Steve Munoz, and his stepmother, Dina Munoz. However, the teen said that he didn't want them going inside "because his parents slept naked." Officers were eventually let into the home, and they found both adults shot in the head. Dina died at the scene, while Oscar was taken to a nearby hospital and later died from his injuries. While being questioned, Darren told investigators that his parents had just returned from a trip celebrating their anniversary. He said he went to bed between 9 and 10 p.m. and that he didn't wake up until he heard the garage door alarm go off. Authorities Charge Teens with 'Horrific' Murder of Girl Over Online Beef The arrest affidavit stated that Darren lied about being the 911 caller and he "feigned confusion" when officers asked why he was initially reluctant to let him into the house. Additionally, the affidavit noted that there were no signs of forced entry and no items were taken from the home. Authorities also questioned Darren's girlfriend, who claimed she spent the weekend at the Munoz home before she returned to her home on the morning of Sunday, December 14. A friend of Darren and his girlfriend called the Clovis Police Department to report that "there had been a plan in place for several weeks or months" between Darren, Zamora, who is 18, and another friend to "kill Darren's parents," according to the affidavit. Their alleged motive was to "take over the parents' belongings/finances" once they were "out of the picture." The friend went on to tell police that they saw Darren at another person's home with a gun, which made the homeowner "uncomfortable." Darren was allegedly planning to trade an AR rifle for a "ghost Glock," which would be harder to track because it doesn't have a serial number. Police then obtained security video that allegedly showed Darren carrying a gun within hours of his parents being shot, per the affidavit. Darren's girlfriend seemingly verified the murder motive by allegedly telling police, "Darren had wanted his father's money and Julio had agreed to kill Darren's parents in exchange for the money when Darren got some." Rapper Lil Durk Arrested in Florida on Murder-for-Hire Charge: Report Police said that Darren believed his father was well off and "owned the Allsup's convenience store franchise," while KVII reported that Oscar was a regional manager for Allsup's convenience stores. The girlfriend also claimed that Zamora planned to go to the Munoz home and get the murder weapon from Darren so that he could "shoot Darren's parents in their bed." After the double homicide was covered on the news, the friend allegedly called Darren's girlfriend to say that "Darren had done it." While talking to police, Zamora said that "Darren had asked and solicited him to kill" his parents. He also reportedly admitted to using a Glock to commit the crime. Menendez Brothers Break Silence on Murder Case 30 Years Later: Revelations Darren was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and criminal solicitation to commit murder, according to the affidavit. He is currently being held at the Curry County Jail without bond, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, December 22. Meanwhile, Zamora was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He is also being held at the Curry County Jail without bond and will appear in court on December 22. The Clovis Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly's request for comment.
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Teen Hired Friend to Kill His Parents So They Could Split Inheritance
December 18, 2025
1 months ago