San Diego, CA — A 22-year-old undocumented Mexican national has pleaded guilty in federal court to the murders of a man, his pregnant wife, and the death of her unborn child in a case tied to a ranch outside Yakima, Washington.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California confirmed Monday that Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta admitted to orchestrating and carrying out the killings in 2022, before helping bury the victims’ bodies in a remote area.
Brutal Double Murder
On August 28, 2022, Madrigal-Birrueta and his co-conspirators shot 44-year-old Cesar Murillo multiple times in the back of the head and torso during an argument. His body was buried near a ranch outside Yakima under Madrigal-Birrueta’s orders.
Just days later, on September 2, 2022, Madrigal-Birrueta lured Murillo’s wife, 33-year-old Maira Hernandez, to the same ranch, unaware that her husband had already been killed.
According to prosecutors, “Madrigal-Birrueta picked her up in Yakima and drove her to the ranch where his co-conspirators shot her multiple times in the head. Her unborn child died in utero.”
Court documents noted that Hernandez’s body was also buried near the ranch, alongside her husband’s remains.
Motive Tied to Drug Debt
The plea agreement revealed that the murders were linked to an unpaid drug debt. Prosecutors say Madrigal-Birrueta’s co-conspirators owed money to Murillo and Hernandez, leading to the fatal confrontation.
The case drew national attention when details of the killings and burials emerged in court. As reported by FOX 5 San Diego, investigators connected the couple to a prior Homeland Security probe into drug smuggling through San Diego-area ports of entry in 2021.
Federal Court Proceedings
Madrigal-Birrueta entered his guilty plea in San Diego federal court. Authorities confirmed that he admitted to ordering and assisting with both murders. His sentencing is scheduled for March 27, 2026, and he faces a lengthy prison term.
Court filings also noted that Murillo and Hernandez had been interviewed by Homeland Security Investigations agents between August and October 2021, though officials did not clarify whether that investigation was directly tied to their deaths.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
The murders of Murillo, Hernandez, and their unborn child shocked both Yakima residents and law enforcement, who described the crimes as “calculated” and “cold-blooded.”
Authorities emphasized that the plea represents a step toward justice for the victims’ families, though the case continues to raise questions about the intersection of drug debts, organized crime, and violent retaliation.
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