On August 16, 2018, a tragic incident unfolded in the southwest Las Vegas Valley, resulting in the deaths of Claudia Cordero-Garcia, 20, and her boyfriend, Diosdan Benitez-Cruz, 25. The bodies of the couple were discovered by maintenance workers inside their apartment unit at Cantera At Coronado Ranch Apartments, located at 7600 S. Rainbow Blvd., around 11:30 a.m..
Claudia Cordero-Garcia and Diosdan Benitez-Cruz had been in a relationship and had recently moved to Las Vegas from Miami in
February 2018. The events leading to their deaths began when Cordero-Garcia informed her family that she intended to leave her boyfriend. This communication was made on Tuesday, two days before the bodies were found. Concerned about her well-being, Cordero-Garcia's family asked the police to check on her on Wednesday, but the police found nothing unusual and could not locate the couple. The family subsequently filed a missing persons report for Cordero-Garcia on Wednesday night.
The investigation revealed that Diosdan Benitez-Cruz was the suspect responsible for Cordero-Garcia's death. Evidence indicated that Benitez-Cruz shot Cordero-Garcia before taking his own life. A handgun was found next to his body, supporting this conclusion. There was no prior history of domestic violence involving the couple, according to the Metropolitan Police Department, and neighbors did not report anything unusual.
Benitez-Cruz, originally from Cuba, had known his friend Jennifer Rodriguez since childhood. Rodriguez expressed shock and confusion over the incident, stating that she had recently been told by Benitez-Cruz that he and his girlfriend had moved to Las Vegas from Miami. The community and Benitez-Cruz's family were deeply affected by the news, highlighting the unexpected nature of the tragedy.
The Clark County coroner's office identified Cordero-Garcia, and the Metropolitan Police Department identified Benitez-Cruz following the discovery of their bodies. The coroner's office had not released the official cause and manner of death as of the initial reporting. The incident underscored the dangers associated with domestic violence situations, particularly when a victim attempts to leave the relationship, as noted by homicide Lt. Ray Spencer.
In summary, the deaths of Claudia Cordero-Garcia and Diosdan Benitez-Cruz were the result of a domestic violence incident that ended in a murder-suicide. There were no arrests made, as the perpetrator, Benitez-Cruz, took his own life after killing his girlfriend. The case was resolved with the identification of the suspect and the determination of the cause of death, highlighting the tragic consequences of unresolved domestic conflicts.
