A sorrowful event disrupted the tranquility of Belen, a modest community located 33 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. On the early morning of December 14, 2024, Diego Leyva, a 16-year-old local, dialed 911 and admitted to taking the lives of his family members.
Upon their arrival at approximately 3:30 a.m., Valencia County Sheriff’s deputies reported that Leyva appeared “extremely intoxicated.” The teenager exited the house with his hands up, offering no resistance to authorities.
The scene inside the house was grim. Officers found the bodies of Leyva’s parents, Leonardo Leyva, 42, and Adriana Bencomo, 35, along with his twin brother, Adrian Leyva, 16, and younger sibling, Alexander Leyva, 14. The four family members had been shot dead, and a handgun, suspected to be the murder weapon, was located on the kitchen table.
Adriana Bencomo was recognized in the community for her role as a committed volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department. Her colleagues, in expressing their grief, have remembered her as a caring and selfless individual.
The horrific event has sent shockwaves through the community of Belen, leaving residents, officials, and friends in disbelief. Following his arrest, Diego Leyva was taken to a local hospital for detoxification due to his heavily intoxicated state. He was later transported to a juvenile justice center in Albuquerque and charged with four counts of first-degree murder.
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation into the incident. While the motive behind the violent act remains unknown, the completed findings will be turned over to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.
In response to the tragedy, the Belen Consolidated Schools district has announced its decision to offer counseling services to students and staff affected. A former teacher of Leyva depicted the act as completely uncharacteristic, noting that Diego had been a quiet and well-mannered student with no previous signs of violent behavior.
As the investigation continues, the community’s focus is on providing support for those impacted and ensuring the memories of Adriana, Leonardo, Adrian, and Alexander are respectfully remembered.
