On August 10, 2022, at approximately 4:37 a.m., 60-year-old Samuel Cordero was discovered deceased at Ragle Park in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He had suffered at least one fatal gunshot wound. Cordero was a dedicated caregiver at MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care, known for his compassion and reliability.
Following an extensive investigation, authorities arrested 16-year-old Judah Trujillo on September 28, 2022, charging him with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Trujillo was apprehended at an apartment complex near Rufina Street and Richards Avenue in Santa Fe.
Further investigation revealed that Trujillo's mother, Rachel Martinez, was charged with two counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of conspiracy to tamper with evidence. She is accused of assisting in the disposal of Cordero's cell phone and tampering with a firearm to hinder the investigation.
The motive behind the crime remains unclear, as police have not disclosed specific details. However, Assistant District Attorney Ramon Carrillo suggested that Trujillo may have lured Cordero through the LGBTQ dating app Grindr with the intent to rob him.
The arrests of Trujillo and Martinez have provided some closure to the community, but the investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full circumstances surrounding Cordero's tragic death.
