In a shocking incident that has left a small New Mexico community reeling, a teenager stands accused of the brutal murder of four family members in their rural home.
The 16-year-old, identified as Diego Leyva, reportedly confessed to the heinous act in a chilling 911 call made in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to The Independent, when New Mexico State Police arrived at the scene in Belen around 3:30 a.m., they found Leyva emerging from the property, "extremely intoxicated" and with his hands raised. Inside the house, they discovered a horrifying scene: four family members, including two teenagers, dead from suspected gunshot wounds. A handgun lay ominously on the kitchen table.
The victims have been identified as Leonardo Leyva, 42, Adriana Bencomo, 35, Adrian Leyva, 16, and Alexander Leyva, 14. The accused teenager was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque. He now faces four counts of first-degree murder.
The shocking incident has sent ripples of disbelief through the community. Vanessa LaGrange, a former teacher of the accused, expressed her shock to The Guardian, stating, "I would never have thought that something like this would happen and that Diego would be capable of doing something like this."
Adding to the tragedy, the Valencia County Fire Department revealed that Adriana Bencomo was an active volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department. The department expressed their grief on Facebook, stating that their "brothers and sisters at RCFD are shocked and saddened by this loss as expected," and that a peer support team was available for its members.
This tragic incident underscores the need for vigilance and support within communities, as well as the importance of addressing issues such as substance abuse and mental health among young people. The shocking act committed by a seemingly ordinary teenager serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface in even the most seemingly peaceful communities.
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