Armando Nunez

Case details

Armando Nunez died with his wife and their two young sons in a suspected murder-suicide involving carbon monoxide poisoning in a Chevrolet family car in FORT WORTH, Texas.

Timeline

• 11 January 1999 — Child Protective Services launched a probe after allegations that Armando Nunez physically and sexually abused his sons came to its attention.
• 27 January 1999 — The bodies were found inside the family car with a hose attached to the muffler running into the car; Armando Nunez died the same day.

Background

Armando Nunez was accused of physically and sexually abusing his sons. His sons told Child Protective Services workers they were sexually molested by their father.

Child Protective Services spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner said a probe was launched on Jan. 11 after the alleged physical abuse came to their attention. State workers began investigating the sons’ complaints that he had physically and sexually abused them on Jan. 11.

Marleigh Meissner also said Ms. Nunez kicked her unemployed husband out, sent the children to live with relatives and changed the locks on the house. The investigation into the abuse charges had not been completed.

Police suspected that the family deaths were connected to the apparent murder-suicide.

The family found dead

The parents were identified as Armando Nunez, 33, and Valree Nunez, 28, a sales clerk. Their children were Curtis, 7, and Robert, 4. The family dog was also found dead.

Police investigated the case as a murder-suicide after finding the family inside the family car. The whole group was found on January 27, 1999, inside the family Chevy that was parked behind the new duplex where they lived, on a hill in a blue-collar Fort Worth neighborhood.

Investigation and scene details

Police found freshly used hamburger wrappers, a bottle of whiskey and cigarettes inside the car. There were pillows in the back for the children.

Police said that when they arrived, the family car was covered with a tarp. Under the tarp, police found a hose attached to the cars muffler and it ran into the window of the car. Richard Carlberg of the Fort Worth Police Department said:

"Momma wasnt forced in there. They were drinking and smoking cigarettes and there was no sign of trauma or she was forced or held in there."

Investigators suspected that Armando Nunez used a suicide pack and that carbon monoxide was used to kill the family of four.

Police suspected Valree was with Armando Monday when he bought a tarp and the hose that would carry carbon monoxide into the car and kill the family of four.

Arrest and prior events

Neighbors said they did not realize there was trouble in the family until Nunez's Jan. 11 arrest on an outstanding traffic warrant.

Quotes about the allegations

Marleigh Meissner said:

"When she learned of sexual abuse allegations, she was horrified. She changed the locks on the doors. She ordered the husband to move out of the home."

Other details

Police were investigating the connection between the apparent murder-suicide of a family of four and allegations that Armando Nunez was suspected of physically and sexually abusing his sons. Child Protective Services caseworkers said the boys mother was cooperating.