A 16-year-old boy, Diego Leyva, is in custody after confessing to killing four members of his family in their home in Belen, New Mexico. Leyva faces four counts of first-degree murder following the tragic incident.
Incident Overview
The Valencia County Sheriff’s Office received a chilling 911 call at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, during which Leyva admitted to the killings. Deputies arrived at the scene to find Leyva highly intoxicated. He surrendered without resistance, exiting the residence with his hands raised.
Inside the home, deputies discovered the bodies of four individuals, all of whom appeared to have died from gunshot wounds:
Leonardo Leyva, 42 (Father)
Adriana Bencomo, 35 (Mother)
Adrian Leyva, 16 (Twin brother)
Alexander Leyva, 14 (Younger brother)
Aftermath
Leyva was transported to a local hospital for detoxification. Once medically cleared, he was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque on Sunday. Authorities have yet to determine a motive for the alleged quadruple homicide, and an investigation is ongoing.
Community Impact
The incident has shocked the quiet community of Belen, a small town in central New Mexico. The Valencia County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details but emphasized the gravity of the situation and the ongoing investigation.
As the legal process unfolds, the case will likely raise questions about youth violence, gun access, and the societal factors that may contribute to such tragedies. Updates on the investigation are expected as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the devastating crime.