In the late hours of a Friday evening in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on August 14, 2009, the life of Luis Diaz, a 43-year-old Hispanic male from Dorchester, was brought to a tragic and abrupt end. He and a female companion, 36-year-old Nettie Becht of New Bedford, were gunned down outside of Becht's apartment in the Westlawn Housing Complex on Smith Street. Neighbors reported hearing what they initially thought were firecrackers, only to discover the two victims on the ground.
Both Diaz and Becht were rushed to St. Luke's Hospital, but their injuries were too severe, and both were pronounced dead.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly pointed to a suspect. Police arrested 60-year-old Elvin Valentin of New Bedford and charged him with two counts of murder. The motive behind the killings appeared to be a love triangle. Valentin and Becht had been involved in a romantic relationship that had ended. Prosecutors stated that Valentin became enraged when he saw Becht return home with another man, who was later identified as Luis Diaz. It was at that moment that Valentin allegedly retrieved a firearm and fatally shot both Diaz and Becht as they were entering her home.
Following his arrest, Elvin Valentin was ordered to be held without bail. He entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charges in New Bedford District Court. Eyewitnesses at the scene reportedly identified Valentin as the shooter, strengthening the case against him. The incident left the community in shock, particularly those who knew Valentin and described him as a quiet man. Memorials with candles were set up outside the apartment of Nettie Becht, who was a mother to three young sons. Valentin was ultimately convicted of the double slaying.
