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Teenager Arrested in Belén, New Mexico After Alleged Quadruple Homicide
In a heart-wrenching incident early Saturday morning, 16-year-old Diego Leyva was taken into custody by New Mexico State Police after he allegedly confessed to the murder of four family members in their home in Belén, located approximately 35 minutes south of Albuquerque.
BELÉN, NM – In a heart-wrenching incident early Saturday morning, 16-year-old Diego Leyva was taken into custody by New Mexico State Police after he allegedly confessed to the murder of four family members in their home in Belén, located approximately 35 minutes south of Albuquerque.
According to police reports, Leyva was “extremely intoxicated” when he made a 911 call around 3:30 a.m., admitting to the killings of his parents and two siblings. Upon arrival, law enforcement found Leyva walking out of the residence with his hands up, ready to surrender. Inside the home, deputies discovered the bodies of Leonardo Leyva, 42, Adriana Bencomo, 35, Adrian Leyva, 16, and Alexander Leyva, 14, all victims of suspected gunshot wounds. A handgun was reportedly found on the kitchen table.
Leyva has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and was subsequently taken to a local hospital for detoxification before being booked into the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque. The community of Belén is reeling from the shock of this tragedy, with local authorities and schools offering counseling services to those affected, including students at Belen High School and Belen Middle School, where Leyva and one of his siblings were enrolled, respectively.
The investigation into the motives behind this horrific act is ongoing, with New Mexico State Police’s Investigations Bureau and Crime Scene Team actively processing the scene and conducting interviews. The incident has left the community in mourning, grappling with the loss and the unimaginable nature of the crime.
This tragic event has sparked discussions on youth mental health, substance abuse, and gun control, with many in the community seeking answers and solutions to prevent such devastating occurrences in the future.
The legal process for Diego Leyva is just beginning, with his formal court hearing and further details expected to emerge as the case develops.
