Left inset: Carlos Hernandez (Oakland County Sheriff’s Office). Center inset: Hussein Murray (Instagram). Right inset: Joshua Zuazohua (OCSO). Background: Carlos Jose Hernandez in court during his murder trial in Michigan this month (WDIV/YouTube).
Text messages and body camera footage revealed during a murder trial for two Michigan men convicted of killing a 72-year-old jewelry store owner they tried to rob — while posing as gas workers checking for leaks — show how it went down, including one of the killers’ plans to “buy a house” for his wife with money from the attempted “score.”
“I hope we get enough money to buy a house,” the wife of Carlos Jose Hernandez, who was found guilty Friday of first-degree felony murder, allegedly wrote in a text message to him just two days before Hussein Murray was beaten to death by Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo in his upscale Rochester Hills home near Detroit, according to local NBC affiliate WDIV. Zuazo was also convicted of murder.
The October 2024 killing was the result of a premeditated theft attempt, with messages between Hernandez and Zuazo revealing talks of a “big score” that the pair was hoping to get out of it.
“Our own home,” replied Hernandez to his wife’s message, per WDIV and prosecutors.
“No rent,” the woman, whose identity was not revealed, allegedly said back.
“Yes,” Hernandez told her. “If what I feel is here, we gonna be good”
“So we can have a nice backyard,” the wife allegedly said.
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Hernandez and Zuazo showed up to Hussein’s residence on successive days claiming to be workers from DTE Energy, a Detroit-based gas and electric company, checking for gas leaks. On the first day, Murray and his wife Linda Murray — who was present during his murder — declined to let them inside and the two men left immediately after hearing Linda mention a gun. The next day Murray agreed to let them look in the basement, which led to Linda being bound with duct tape while Murray was beaten by the pair.
Evidence and testimony provided during Hernandez and Zuazo’s trial last week showed how Murray had bruises and cuts on his face, neck, scalp, and body. His jaw was reportedly “broken into multiple pieces,” according to the local medical examiner. A bone in Murray’s throat was also broken in two places, with his cause of death being listed as neck compression.
“Basically, his entire face had bruises and tears,” the examiner testified, according to WDIV.
Body camera footage provided by police shows Murray’s wife, Linda Murray, speaking to officers with her wrists bound after managing to call police that night.
“I don’t know where he is,” Linda Murray tells the officers, per WDIV. “He might be in the basement.”
Hernandez and Zuazo had, in fact, left Murray dead in the basement of the couple’s home before fleeing in a stolen pickup truck with DTE decals. They demanded jewelry and money from him, with Linda Murray reporting how she saw them leave with items from a jewelry box. Hernandez and his wife, who was never charged, had talked about the possibility of things going wrong and what Hernandez should do in texts to each other on Oct. 10, 2024, just one day before the murder.
“Remember what I said, If things get sketchy, GTFO,” the wife allegedly said, per WDIV. “Promise,” Hernandez replied.
“I love you,” his wife allegedly texted back.
“I love you too, let me get into work mode,” Hernandez said.
“Wear a mask when you get close,” his wife allegedly told him.
“I got it on now,” Hernandez responded.
“Ok, baby get your head good,” the wife allegedly said.
Hernandez and Zuazo split up after the murder, with cops taking Hernandez into custody on Oct. 12, 2024, in Louisiana following a traffic stop. Zuazo was caught in Plymouth Township, Michigan, on Oct. 14, 2024, after Hernandez’s wife told authorities that he was involved. Witnesses linked the pair to each other through vehicle sightings and purchases of items used during the home invasion, including duct tape and zip ties. Hernandez and Zuazo were also caught on Ring video at the Murray residence.
“We’re DTE. We’re checking for gas leaks,” Hernandez can be heard saying, while wearing a yellow reflective vest and holding a clipboard with the DTE insignia on it.
DTE Energy said in a press release after the slaying that customers should request ID from workers before allowing them into your home.
“Before DTE makes a routine visit to your home, we will make every effort to contact you in advance, either through a phone call from our call center or via email or text message,” the company wrote. “It is very rare that a DTE employee would need to enter your home, but it does happen. DTE will use every opportunity to make you aware of any work needing to be done at your home and if possible will contact you in advance to schedule time for the work to be completed.”
Murry owned Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Metro Detroit, an Instagram post said. His grandson, whom was named after Murray, posted a tribute on the social media app.
“It is hard to put into words the level of generosity and kindness that my grandfather possessed,” the younger Murray wrote. “A man who spread so much warmth and joy to everyone in his family, and someone whose smile could make you feel like the world was yours.”
Hernandez and Zuazo are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9.
David Harris contributed to this report.
