A 16-year-old boy from New Mexico is accused of killing his parents and teenage siblings in a shocking act of violence before calling 911 to confess while reportedly drunk.
Police say Diego Leyva was arrested early Saturday morning after admitting to the killings during a phone call with a dispatcher. The tragedy unfolded around 3:30 a.m. in the city of Belen, where deputies found the boy’s father, Leonardo Leyva, 42, mother, Adriana Bencomo, 35, sister, Adrian Leyva, 16, and brother, Alexander Leyva, 14, all dead from gunshot wounds inside their home.
When authorities arrived, Diego allegedly came outside with his hands up and surrendered peacefully. Investigators said he appeared “extremely intoxicated” at the time. A handgun, believed to be the weapon used, was found on the kitchen table.
The teen was taken to a nearby hospital to sober up before being booked into a juvenile detention center in Albuquerque. He now faces charges of first-degree murder.
The news has left the local community reeling, with those who knew Diego struggling to process what happened. Vanessa LaGrange, one of his former teachers, expressed disbelief. “I can’t wrap my head around it,” she said. “No one could have imagined this.”
State police are still investigating what might have led to this heartbreaking crime.
