Crime
Amanda Ileana Hernandez, wife of fake DTE worker charged in Rochester Hills murder
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. — The wife of one of the men convicted in the killing of a Rochester Hills businessman has now been charged in connection with the case, following the disclosure of extensive text message evidence presented in court, authorities confirmed.
Amanda Ileana Hernandez, 34, of Lincoln Park, has been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion, accessory after the fact, and conspiracy to falsely impersonate a utility worker, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
She is the wife of Carlos Hernandez, who was previously sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Hussein Murray.
Prosecutors allege that Amanda Hernandez played an active role in both the planning of the crime and efforts to conceal it afterward. If convicted on the charges, she faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Carlos Hernandez and co-defendant Joshua Zuazo were both convicted and sentenced to life in prison for their roles in the killing.
The two men were charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.
Investigators say the suspects posed as DTE Energy utility workers to gain entry to Murray’s residence on Oct. 11, 2024.
According to court records, once inside the home, Murray was taken to the basement, where he was fatally assaulted. His wife was present during the incident and was restrained with duct tape.
After freeing herself, she contacted 911, initially reporting that she believed her husband had been kidnapped.
Responding deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of the residence and discovered Murray’s body in the basement.
Murray was the owner of a jewelry store in Hamtramck, officials said.
Carlos Hernandez was arrested the following day, Oct. 12, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that Hernandez was located traveling southbound on Interstate 49 after crossing into Louisiana from Arkansas.
He was stopped by deputies and taken into custody without incident. Hernandez was later extradited to Michigan and booked into the Oakland County Jail on Oct. 24, 2024.
Following her husband’s arrest, Amanda Hernandez allegedly identified Joshua Zuazo as the second suspect. Zuazo was subsequently located by law enforcement in Plymouth Township and arrested on Oct. 14, 2024.
During the trial of Carlos Hernandez and Zuazo in October 2025, prosecutors introduced evidence consisting of numerous text messages exchanged between Carlos and Amanda Hernandez.
Detective Jordan Conley of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office testified in court, outlining messages investigators deemed relevant to the case.
The communications were extracted using forensic tools commonly employed by law enforcement to retrieve data from mobile devices.
Authorities state the investigation remains active as the case against Amanda Hernandez proceeds through the court system.
Here are the texts he read in court that were allegedly exchanged between Carlos and Amanda Hernandez:
Oct. 1, 2024, at 1:46 p.m.
Amanda Hernandez: The badges were delivered
Amanda Hernandez: Your account still negative
Sept. 28, 2024, at 11:57 a.m.
Amanda Hernandez: Remember what I said, if you have to leave with nothing, that’s ok. You’re the most important
Amanda Hernandez: What if he’s not home
Carlos Hernandez: I know baby
Carlos Hernandez: He will be
Carlos Hernandez: I’ll text you when we make it up there
Amanda Hernandez: As you long as you know, your life and freedom is important to me
Carlos Hernandez: OK baby
Carlos Hernandez: I know it is baby
Sept. 28, 2024, at 12:29 p.m.
Carlos Hernandez: I’m gonna have to buy a hoodie, this weather ain’t it
Amanda Hernandez: Turn your phone off when you’re out there just in case
Amanda Hernandez: Or you think you don’t need to
Amanda Hernandez: I’m so nervous, but you guys seem to have it down and I feel better now that you have a good getaway car
Amanda Hernandez: I still am really nervous though
Carlos Hernandez: It’s going to be ok
Amanda Hernandez: Promise
Amanda Hernandez: I been creeping on you
Amanda Hernandez: Make sure you don’t forget to take the tag off
Carlos Hernandez: We fkd up
Amanda Hernandez: What
Sept. 30, 2024, at 1:03 a.m.
Carlos Hernandez: I am baby
Amanda Hernandez: Make Yogi take it. Don’t be doing all the work
According to the detective, the truck used in the crime was stolen between the late hours of Sept. 29 and the early hours of Sept. 30, 2024.
Amanda Hernandez: Makes me mad, it’s all on you because you’re the brains and the
Amanda Hernandez: Where you appears to be going to get a
Amanda Hernandez: Ok just be careful, I’ll be in the living room
Carlos Hernandez: Ok I love you
Amanda Hernandez: I love you more, husband
Amanda Hernandez: I know you not gonna take a actual DTE car
Amanda Hernandez: You good baby?
Amanda Hernandez: Imma go to sleeps
Carlos Hernandez: We just got a car
Amanda Hernandez: Are you ok
Amanda Hernandez: You driving our car?
Carlos Yes and yes
Amanda Hernandez: You sure there was no cameras around
Carlos Hernandez: Yes I’m sure
Carlos Hernandez: About to take Yogi home now
Oct. 1, 2024, at 2:28 p.m.
Amanda Hernandez: What else you gotta do?
Carlos Hernandez: Get this s***
Amanda Hernandez: What s***
Carlos Hernandez: The signs
Oct. 3, 2024, at 5:55 a.m.
Amanda Hernandez: You’re probably gonna have to move that truck lol She’s like that’s not stolen is it
Amanda Hernandez: I told her it was Yogis
Oct. 3, 2024, at 3:45 p.m.
Amanda Hernandez: How much money do you have baby
Amanda Hernandez: Did you make sure the tracker is out of that truck?
Oct. 3, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Amanda Hernandez: I Love you baby
Amanda Hernandez: Omg
Carlos Hernandez: What’s wrong baby
Amanda Hernandez: You gotta move the truck so we can take the garbage out
Amanda Hernandez: What do you need it for again?
Carlos Hernandez: To make the pages and the badges
Amanda Hernandez: OK
Oct. 6, 2024, at 6:53 p.m.
Amanda Hernandez: I’m worried
Carlos Hernandez: About what
Amanda Hernandez: Our house
Carlos Hernandez: It’s ok
Amanda Hernandez: You sure
Carlos Hernandez: Trust me, it’s ok
Amanda Hernandez: Well we are only five days late on rent. not too bad and 754
Amanda Hernandez: We just spent too much money in pr, that’s what f***ed us
Carlos Hernandez: Yeah but it will be ok them things will be ready tomorrow and then we can go do that
Oct. 8, 2024, at 12:04 a.m.
Amanda Hernandez: You sure you don’t need anything else baby
Carlos Hernandez: I don’t think so those badges would be nice
Amanda Hernandez: Yeah but I don’t know how to make that plus I don’t think you need it I’ll look it up
A link was then sent by Amanda to Carlos with photos of ID badges, according to the detective.
Amanda Hernandez: Something like that but with no pictures
Carlos Hernandez: Takes too long to ship. I’m tryna be gone by Thursday
Oct. 9, 2024
Amanda Hernandez: I hope we get enough money to buy a house
Carlos Hernandez: Me too, baby, our own home
Amanda Hernandez: No rent
Carlos Hernandez: Yes
Carlos Hernandez: If what I feel is here, we gonna be good
Amanda Hernandez: So we can have a nice backyard
Carlos Hernandez: I’m like, I wonder what’s there
Carlos Hernandez: I just pulled up to yogis
Amanda Hernandez: Don’t be too long, you need the truck and sleeps
Carlos Hernandez: I know
Amanda Hernandez: Be safe
Carlos Hernandez: Always am
Oct. 10, 2024
Amanda Hernandez: Wyd love
Carlos Hernandez: He’s grabbing weed then we’re getting back to get the truck
Amanda Hernandez: Ok, baby. You got your head ready
Carlos Hernandez: Yes
Amanda Hernandez: Just be careful
Amanda Hernandez: Promise
Carlos Hernandez: Promise
Amanda Hernandez: I love you so much
Carlos Hernandez: I love you too
Oct. 10, 2024, the night before the alleged murder
Amanda Hernandez: You guys are gonna go this late?
Amanda Hernandez: Remember what I said, s*** seem weird, GTFO,
Carlos Hernandez: Promise
Amanda Hernandez: I love you
Carlos Hernandez: I love you too, let me get into work mode
Carlos Hernandez: I’ll call you when we done
Amanda Hernandez: Wear a mask when you get close
Carlos Hernandez: I got it on now
Amanda Hernandez: Ok, baby get your head good
Oct 10, 2024
Amanda Hernandez: Are you done
Carlos Hernandez: No
Amanda Hernandez: What happened
Carlos Hernandez: I’ll tell you when we get there
Amanda Hernandez: You need me to pick you up?
Carlos Hernandez: Yes, we did good though
Oct. 11, 2025
Carlos Hernandez: Put the hardhats on the porch please
Amanda Hernandez: OK
Amanda Hernandez: Where are you parking the Jeep?
Carlos Hernandez: At the house
Carlos Hernandez: No, at your mom’s. You’re gonna have to come get us
Amanda Hernandez: Oh, ok
Amanda Hernandez: I was confused
Carlos Hernandez: OK
Amanda Hernandez: When do you think I’ll have to do that?
Amanda Hernandez: Just bring the keys inside, I’m going to sleep
Carlos Hernandez: You sleep?
Amanda Hernandez: I was, why?
Amanda Hernandez: Here
Amanda then sends a link to a news article describing the crime in Rochester Hills.
Amanda Hernandez: What you wanna do?
Amanda Hernandez: We need to leave
Amanda Hernandez: We need to get you outta here faster
Amanda Hernandez: We don’t have the money to do it
Amanda Hernandez: Sweating
Amanda Hernandez: Wya (Where you at)
Carlos Hernandez: Driving
Amanda Hernandez: Coming here
Carlos Hernandez: I’ll talk to you when I get home
Amanda Hernandez: Are we still leaving tomorrow or what?
Amanda Hernandez: Call me ft audio (FaceTime)
Amanda Hernandez: Don’t get the plate just in case
Amanda Hernandez: What if there are cameras you can’t see
Amanda Hernandez: Put gas in so it don’t look like you went far
Carlos Hernandez: I am
Amanda Hernandez: I’m done
Amanda Hernandez: I’m so sad, baby, I’m so sad
Carlos Hernandez: It’s going to be ok
Amanda Hernandez: Promise
Carlos Hernandez: Promise
Amanda Hernandez: Think it would blow over?
Carlos Hernandez: Yes
Amanda Hernandez: I don’t think anybody will tell that it’s you
Carlos Hernandez: I pray not
Amanda Hernandez: Me too
Carlos Hernandez: I just got back here
Crime
Jesse James West, 36, Dies After Being Shot by Kansas City, Kansas, Police Officer During Disturbance Response
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A family’s request for help ended in tragedy Friday evening, November 6, 2026, when 36-year-old Jesse James West died after being shot by a police officer responding to a reported disturbance at a residence in Kansas City, Kansas.
The incident occurred in the 6500 block of Kansas Avenue, where officers were dispatched following a call from a woman who reported that a relative was behaving erratically inside a vehicle parked in the driveway. What began as a request for assistance became a fatal encounter that has left West’s loved ones grieving and raised difficult questions as investigators work to establish exactly what happened.
According to information released by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), officers were dispatched at approximately 7:35 p.m. Two Kansas City, Kansas, police officers arrived at the residence around 7:50 p.m. and approached an SUV parked in the driveway.
Inside the vehicle, officers encountered West. One officer reportedly observed that he had a firearm.
The officers initially moved away from the SUV and instructed West to exit the vehicle with his hands raised. They later approached again and repeated their commands.
At approximately 7:56 p.m., as officers approached the SUV, one officer fired a single round, striking West. According to the KBI’s preliminary account, West was standing just outside the vehicle’s door when he was shot.
Officers immediately began providing life-saving medical assistance while waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
West was transported to The University of Kansas Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
No officers were reported injured during the incident. Investigators also said they located what they believe were components of a rifle at the scene.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at approximately 8:25 p.m. The KBI is conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
Once the investigation is complete, the findings are expected to be submitted to the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Authorities have not released further conclusions about the circumstances leading to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and the findings will help determine the full sequence of events.
Jesse James West was 36 years old. His death has left family members and loved ones facing a painful loss following an incident that began with a call for assistance.
The circumstances surrounding the encounter remain under investigation, and many questions may not be answered until investigators complete their review.
As his family mourns, thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved West. Losing someone unexpectedly is devastating, and the pain can be especially difficult when the circumstances remain unclear.
Our deepest condolences go out to Jesse James West’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. May they find strength, support, and comfort as they grieve.
May Jesse James West rest in peace.