Nancy Trujillo Espinoza, a 25-year-old woman, was tragically killed on September 7, 2019, in Whiteville, North Carolina. The incident was part of a triple homicide that also claimed the lives of her husband, Leonel Cipiran Noyola, aged 29, and their 5-year-old son, Alexis Cipiran Trujillo. The family was found shot to death inside their home. The grandmother, Rafaela Noyola Jaramillo, was also shot but survived the attack.
The shooter fled the scene in one of the victim's cars, a silver 2011 Ford Fusion.
Following an extensive investigation, two arrests were made in connection with the murders. On February 24, 2020, a 17-year-old juvenile was arrested on multiple charges, including three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of stolen goods. The juvenile was initially booked at the Columbus County Detention Center on a $450,000 bond, which was later increased to $5.4 million.
The following day, February 25, 2020, Prentis Deshawne McDuffie, also known as "Chopper," aged 30, was arrested on the same charges. McDuffie was booked at the Columbus County Detention Center with no bond. The investigation into the triple homicide remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to seek additional information.
Nancy Trujillo Espinoza's death, along with the deaths of her husband and young son, has left a profound impact on the community. The tragic loss of this young family has prompted an outpouring of grief and support from friends, family, and neighbors. The arrests of the suspects have brought some measure of closure, but the community continues to mourn the senseless violence that took their lives.
