CALIFORNIA — Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta, an undocumented Mexican national from Yakima, Washington, has admitted in federal court to murdering a man and his pregnant wife in a case tied to a drug trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents, the 22-year-old Madrigal-Birrueta and his accomplices fatally shot 44-year-old Cesar Murillo on August 28, 2022, at a remote ranch near Yakima before burying his body. Days later, on September 2, Madrigal-Birrueta lured Murillo’s wife, 33-year-old Maira Hernandez, to the ranch by telling her her husband was waiting. When Hernandez, who was visibly pregnant, arrived, she was shot in the head by accomplices and buried nearby. Her unborn child also died.
Madrigal-Birrueta admitted the murders were connected to a drug debt owed by his accomplices to the couple. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2026.
The indictment also charges Ricardo Orizaba-Zendejas as an accessory to murder and co-conspirator in the drug ring. His trial is set for October 27, 2025.
The case originated from drug seizures at San Diego ports of entry in 2021. By August 2022, investigators had identified a Yakima-based group involved in drug trafficking. After interviewing Murillo and Hernandez, both were killed and buried at the ranch.
The investigation involved extensive efforts using radar, aircraft, cadaver dogs, and other forensic techniques. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, along with Washington State Police, recovered the victims’ remains on September 13, 2023.
Law enforcement also seized methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, firearms—including a machine gun—and body armor from the drug ring at the Yakima ranch.
Madrigal-Birrueta faces a sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison or potentially the death penalty.
