Drug money allegedly motivated man accused of murdering Gardnerville women, Reno couple

A Washoe County detective says alleged murderer Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman told police he robbed and killed his elderly victims during a 10-day rampage in January because he needed money to buy methamphetamine to support his drug addiction, according to the Associated Press.

Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman was arrested on Jan. 19 in connection with the four murders of Gardnerville woman Connie Koontz, 56, Gardnerville woman Sophia Renken, 74, and South Reno Couple Jerry and Sherry David, 81 and 80.

He stole property from his victim's homes and allegedly sold their jewelry in Carson City pawn shops, according to charges filed in Carson City.

The Associated Press released information today obtained from a grand jury transcript noting a report by a Washoe County detective, which states that during interviews Martinez-Guzman "broke into tears and repeatedly called himself an 'idiot' before confessing to the murders during an interrogation hours after his arrest in Carson City on Jan. 19."

The information comes from a Grand Jury transcript, in which the detective also stated that Martinez-Guzman "initially denied any wrongdoing and was smiling and giggling during some of the questioning."

Martinez-Guzman had previously worked for the David couple at their property in South Reno, and had allegedly stolen a .22 caliber hand gun which he is suspected to have used to kill all four victims, according to his DNA found on the weapon, according to the AP article.

After his arrest, deputies located multiple stolen items from the victims in his home, and they were led to a recently dug hole in an empty lot in which Martinez-Guzman had allegedly buried multiple guns stolen from the Davids, wrapped in a tarp.

According to the AP article, Martinez-Guzman allegedly denied any wrongdoing, even going as far as saying he didn't need a lawyer because he had done nothing wrong. But as the detective pressed him further and pointed out inconsistencies in his story, he eventually confessed to the murders. He told the detective it was because he had a methamphetamine habit, and needed money to buy drugs.

A trial date has been set for April 2020, with monthly updates on the case to be released to the public. The first is set for next month, April 29.

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