On March 16, 2016, a tragic and violent incident occurred in Portales, New Mexico, resulting in the deaths of 39-year-old John Jesse Bustamante and 31-year-old Christina Winters-Griffin. The bodies of the two victims were discovered inside a house that was engulfed in flames at 917 N Avenue J. Upon investigation, it was determined that both victims had suffered gunshot wounds to the head, indicating a premeditated and violent act.
The incident was investigated by the Major Crimes Unit,
and initially, no arrests were made. The case remained a cold case for several years, with the District Attorney's Office continuing to pursue leads and gather evidence. The persistence of the investigators eventually led to a breakthrough in the case.
On a later date, an arrest was made in connection with the murders. Jose R. Zapata, a 37-year-old individual, was taken into custody for his alleged involvement in the crimes. Zapata was arrested at a residence located at 820 W 14th Street in Portales, where he was found hiding in a crawl space and was in possession of a firearm. The arrest was the result of a collaborative effort between the District Attorney's Office, the Curry County Sheriff's office, and the Portales Police Department, who obtained a search warrant to apprehend Zapata.
Zapata was charged with two counts of murder, arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and two counts of tampering with evidence. The District Attorney, Andrea Reeb, highlighted the diligence and persistent work of the Special Agents in the District Attorney's Office, which ultimately led to the arrest and the potential for closure for the victims' families. Zapata was scheduled to have a first appearance in court and a pretrial detention hearing in the near future.
The arrest of Jose R. Zapata marked a significant development in the case, bringing hope for justice to the families of John Jesse Bustamante and Christina Winters-Griffin, who had been waiting for years for resolution. The detailed investigation and the eventual apprehension of the suspect underscore the commitment of law enforcement and judicial authorities to solving even the most complex and cold cases.
