Man, 38, ‘confesses to shooting dead his longtime friend and encasing the body in concrete’ after his daughter confronted him about a ‘putrid odor’ coming from the family’s basement
- Russell Montoya is charged with the murder of 38-year-old Shane Nelson
- Montoya allegedly confessed to shooting Nelson dead on November 8 after his daughter confronted him about a ‘putrid odor’ at the family’s Colorado home
- The daughter told police he admitted to concealing the body in a concrete slab in a basement laundry room
- Montoya was taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence after police recovered the body
- He allegedly told detectives that he shot Nelson four times during an argument
- He claimed he acted in self-defense when Nelson tried to reach for his handgun
Russell Montoya, 38, allegedly confessed to shooting dead his longtime friend before encasing the victim’s body in concrete after his daughter confronted him about a ‘putrid odor’ emanating from the family’s basement
A Colorado man who confessed to shooting dead his longtime friend before encasing the victim’s body in concrete was apprehended after his daughter confronted him about a ‘putrid odor’ emanating from the family’s basement.
Russell Montoya’s teenage daughter began to suspect something was amiss in the days after her father’s friend, Shane Nelson, went missing earlier this month in Adams County.
The teen told authorities that she noticed Montoya was acting strange and detected an ‘indescribable’ odor wafting into her basement bedroom from the adjacent laundry room.
She made the decision to confront her father after discovering a freshly-poured concrete slab in the laundry room – and his response was nothing short of shocking.
Montoya allegedly confessed to his daughter that he’d fatally shot Nelson, his friend of over 25 years, on November 8, days before he was reported missing.
The daughter took the confession to police, who found Nelson’s body exactly where she said they would – encased in the concrete slab in Montaya’s basement, according to an affidavit.
Montoya (left) is facing charges for killing 38-year-old Shane Nelson (right) on November 8
Police found Nelson’s body exactly where Montoya’s daughter said they would – encased in the concrete slab in the suspect’s basement, according to an affidavit
Montoya was taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence after the body was found.
He allegedly told investigators that he shot the victim four times during an argument, claiming he acted in self-defense when Nelson tried to reach for the handgun in a holster in Montoya’s waistband.
After he was shot, Nelson fell to the ground and began moaning as he lay dying in Montoya’s kitchen, according to the affidavit.
Montoya said he and his wife then left the apartment and drove around the neighborhood for several hours.
The suspect allegedly texted his daughter, who was at work, and told her ‘just stay away for a second ok’.
When the couple returned home, Montoya said he sat next to his dead friend, ‘talking to him and trying to figure out how everything happened’.
He and his wife allegedly dragged Nelson’s body into the basement before cleaning up the scene.
Their daughter returned home the following day and noticed he was acting nervous, she told investigators.
Montoya’s wife has yet to be charged for her alleged involvement in concealing Nelson’s murder. However, police said in the affidavit that charges are pending.
Montoya allegedly told investigators that he shot Nelson (pictured) four times during an argument, claiming he acted in self-defense
Investigators are seen outside Montoya’s home in Adams County after the body was found