New Mexico Man Claims ‘Cockroach Message’ Led to Double Homicide

Authorities in Albuquerque are investigating a bizarre and tragic double homicide after a man reportedly told deputies he was instructed by a cockroach to commit the killings.

Deputies with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in southwest Albuquerque just after 10:30 p.m. Friday following reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they found two adult men dead inside the residence—one with apparent gunshot wounds and another with possible stab wounds.

Three adults and two young children were also inside the home at the time. The children were safely removed from the scene while the adults were detained for questioning.

According to investigators, the suspect, 25-year-old Alexis Hernandez, was waiting at the front door when deputies arrived. He was armed with a handgun and a Marine Corps saber, according to an arrest affidavit. Hernandez was immediately detained and later admitted there were two bodies inside the residence.

Deputies say Hernandez told them he “had to do what he had to do,” claiming he was a Marine and that he believed he was acting in self-defense. He reportedly told investigators that one of the victims, identified as the property owner, had been stalking him and had placed hidden cameras around the home.

Hernandez also told deputies that he had been “hearing voices” and “seeing signs” leading up to the incident. In one of the most disturbing claims, he allegedly said he received “an encrypted message in a cockroach,” telling him to kill because the property owner “did not like cockroaches.”

According to the affidavit, Hernandez said he shot the property owner in the head and then shot another man in the kitchen. He admitted to leaving the home to reload his gun before returning and firing additional rounds at both victims.

Afterward, Hernandez reportedly remained at the scene, walking around until deputies arrived. He also told investigators he was aware that two young children were in the home and witnessed the shootings, but said he did not intend to harm them.

Hernandez was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on two open counts of murder. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims pending autopsy results.

This report was compiled using information gathered from law enforcement statements, official press releases, and publicly available news sources.

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