In the pre-dawn hours of February 10, 2020, 35-year-old Matthew Gerald Misener was driving his black Chevrolet Tahoe on U.S. Highway 191, on his way to work at the Morenci mine in Arizona. As he navigated the 'Horseshoe Curve' between Clifton and Morenci, his vehicle was riddled with bullets, causing him to lose control and crash. The incident, which occurred just before 5 a.m., was initially reported as a traffic accident by the Clifton Fire Chief who came across the scene. However, upon closer inspection by other responders who stopped to help, it became tragically clear that the vehicle had been shot. Matthew Misener succumbed to his gunshot wounds at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed away from a random act of road rage. Leads and tips from witnesses and others who knew Misener led law enforcement to focus on a vehicle belonging to Eduardo Montano Jr., a 36-year-old from Tucson. Investigators, with the assistance of the Pima County Sheriff's Department, executed search warrants which resulted in an arrest warrant for Montano. He was taken into custody in Tucson shortly after the murder. Authorities believe the shooting was a pre-meditated and planned event. A search of Montano's home later uncovered the 9mm Ruger handgun used in the murder, with 14 rounds missing.
As the investigation continued, a motive began to surface, centered around a custody battle Misener was involved in with his ex-wife, Georgina Misener. Misener was scheduled for a court hearing to establish full custody of his three children the day after he was killed. On February 25, 2020, Georgina Misener, 33, was also arrested in Tucson in connection with the murder. Investigators discovered electronic communications between Georgina and Eduardo Montano Jr. that revealed their collaboration in the plot to kill Matthew. It was revealed that Georgina had provided Montano with information to help him carry out the murder. The plan was to injure Matthew to prevent him from attending the custody hearing.
Eduardo Montano Jr. later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 33.75 years in prison for his role in Matthew Misener's death. Georgina Misener also pleaded guilty to the same charges and received an identical sentence of 33.75 years.
