On February 14, 2021, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was alerted to the discovery of two deceased individuals at 52 Dodge Drive in Villanueva, NM. The victims were identified as Guadalupe Gutierrez, 59, and his son, Kevin Anthony Gutierrez, 32. The investigation revealed a disturbing sequence of events leading to their deaths.
The events began on February 12, 2021, when Kevin Gutierrez was contacted by Enrique Duran-Garcia, a 14-year-old from Las Vegas, NM, who is the
son of Kevin's ex-girlfriend. Enrique informed Kevin that he had run away from home and wanted to stay with him. Enrique was accompanied by a 15-year-old male friend. During their stay, Enrique took Kevin's handgun and shot and killed Kevin. Following this, Guadalupe Gutierrez was also killed, having been stabbed and shot.
Enrique Duran-Garcia and his friend then hitchhiked back to Las Vegas, where Enrique threatened his friend not to speak to the police about the crimes. The investigation, which included interviews with Enrique, uncovered these details and led to his arrest on March 8, 2021. Enrique was booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 cash-only bond for multiple charges, including two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree, Conspiracy, Intimidation of a Witness, Tampering with Evidence, Larceny of a Firearm, and Larceny.
Enrique Duran-Garcia, the primary suspect in this double homicide, was just 14 years old at the time of the crimes. His actions and subsequent threats to his friend underscore the severity and premeditation involved in the killings. The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau handled the case, and Enrique's arrest marked a significant step in bringing justice to the victims and their family.
The investigation highlighted the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of Guadalupe and Kevin Gutierrez, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and cooperation from the community to ensure that such crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. As of the current date, Enrique Duran-Garcia remains the sole suspect and is facing serious charges related to the murders.
