Daniel Heath Mora was a loving father, brother, and son who worked hard to provide for his family. The 38-year-old Hispanic man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was a father to five children. According to his family, he was the "rock" for his three sons, Shaden, Rohnin, and Jerle, and they did everything together. He was dedicated to making sure his children had a roof over their heads and food on the table.
On March 29, 2022, Daniel was working as a security guard at the Ambassador Inn in
northeast Albuquerque, a job his family said he loved. That day, he was shot and killed during what authorities later described as a violent crime spree. His family remembered his death as a tragic and unfair loss.
The investigation into Daniel’s murder led police to identify Donovan Bookout as the person responsible. Bookout was charged in connection with Daniel's death as well as multiple other crimes stemming from the 2022 spree.
During the court proceedings, Bookout’s competency was questioned several times. The case went to trial, where a jury considered testimony from 15 different witnesses before reaching a decision. The court found Donovan Bookout guilty of first-degree murder.
A judge sentenced Bookout to life in prison plus an additional 41 years. In New Mexico, a life sentence is 30 years. The sentence is to be served at the behavioral health hospital in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
