16-Year-Old New Mexico Boy Allegedly Calls Police to Confess to Murdering Parents and Siblings While Intoxicated

A New Mexico teenager has been arrested and charged with murder after he called 911 to report that he had killed his parents and siblings.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, the New Mexico State Police wrote in a press release that 16-year-old Diego Leyva had been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for allegedly murdering four family members in their home in Belen, located south of Albuquerque.

According to the release, Leyva called 911 at around 3:30 a.m. local time on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 14, and confessed to the dispatcher that he had killed his family members.

“When deputies arrived, Diego walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated,” state police wrote in the release. “He was taken into custody without incident.”

Sheriff’s deputies found two adults and two teenagers inside the home, identified as Leonardo Leyva, 42, Adriana Bencomo, 35, Adrian Leyva, 16, and Alexander Leyva, 14. All of the victims were dead from suspected gunshot wounds, and a handgun was found on the kitchen table, police said.

Leyva was taken to a nearby hospital to detox from the alcohol, and was then booked into the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque at around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

Police added that a motive in the case is still unknown. The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau and Crime Scene Team are still investigating and will be “conducting interviews to learn what led up to these tragic events,” the release added.

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The Belen Consolidated Schools district shared a statement on Facebook on Sunday, writing that the district will be offering additional counseling services, and urging any students in need of mental health services to reach out to a teacher or principal.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic event involving the killing of his family by a BHS student this past Saturday. Our hearts go out to the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by this devastating loss,” superintendent Lawrence Sanchez wrote in the statement.

“This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the importance of vigilance in addressing the challenges our youth face, promoting mental health awareness and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for everyone,” Sanchez continued.

“We are committed to working closely with law enforcement, school officials and community leaders to understand how such a tragedy could occur and to take steps to do our part in preventing anything like this from happening again,” the superintendent added. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure our children and families feel safe, supported and valued.”