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Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Teen Shoots His Family To Death

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In the early morning hours of December 14, 2024, the serene small town of Belen, located 33 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was shaken by a horrific crime as a 16-year-old boy, Diego Leyva, dialed 911 and confessed to the murder of his family.

Upon arrival around 3:30 a.m., Valencia County Sheriff’s deputies found Leyva in a state of extreme intoxication, according to their reports. Leyva willingly surrendered himself, emerging from the house with his hands raised.

The gruesome scene inside the house revealed the bodies of Leyva’s parents, Leonardo Leyva, 42, and Adriana Bencomo, 35, along with his twin brother, Adrian Leyva, 16, and younger sibling, Alexander Leyva, 14. All victims had been shot to death. On the kitchen table, authorities found a handgun believed to have been used in the killings.

Adriana Bencomo was a respected figure in the community for her dedicated service as a volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department. Her colleagues were stunned by her death, remembering her as a person who was selfless and nurturing.

The shocking incident has left the community of Belen in a state of disbelief, with residents, friends, and local officials grappling to understand the devastating event. Following his arrest, the visibly inebriated Diego Leyva was taken to a local hospital for detoxification before being confined to a juvenile justice center in Albuquerque. He has since been charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau has taken up the case, with the motive behind the violence remaining unknown. Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be handed over to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.

In light of the tragedy, Belen Consolidated Schools announced that it will offer counseling services to affected students and staff. A former teacher of Leyva found the act of violence completely uncharacteristic, as Diego had been a quiet and courteous student showing no previous indications of aggression.

While the investigation continues, the focus is to support the bereaved and to honor the memory of Adriana, Leonardo, Adrian, and Alexander Leyva with respect and sympathy.

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