Three women arrested for murder

CHIMAYO, N.M. (KRQE) - New details have emerged in a brutal homicide case, investigators say 64-year-old Rudy Montoya was stabbed dozens of times and beaten with a baseball bat.

Three women are now in jail facing murder charges.

On Friday a caretaker for Montoya’s father discovered the man dead inside his Chimayo home.

"The victim's 97-year-old father was inside the home, unbeknownced to him, his son was murdered in the back room there was indication that there had been a struggle," said the Sheriff Thomas Rodella. "It's probably one of the worst crime scenes I've seen in all the years I've been in law enforcement.”

Investigators with the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office say one of the suspects set herself on fire while trying to cover her tracks.

Officials believe Montoya was brutally beaten and stabbed to death 24 hours before the caretaker found his body.

The suspects are Rhiannon Montoya, 34, the victim's niece, and her two friends Sheanee Martinez, 18, and Angel Baldonado, 22.

Court documents show Martinez confessed to the murder.

"In the interview she indicates that she stabbed Mr. Montoya 47 times," the Sheriff explained.

Montoya also told investigators it was Baldonado who beat the victim with a baseball bat. She said the pair stole the victim's computer, TV and whatever else they could find to sell for drugs.

Both women told investigators it was Montoya's niece, Rhiannon, who drove them to the home and told them it was a good place to get some quick cash.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit two of the girls were pulled over by NM State Police near the victim's home just hours after the murder, but they weren't linked to the crime until the next day when investigators found a burned out car.

The car was stolen from Montoya's home. Then they say Baldonado showed up at the hospital with severe burns on her face and arms. She told investigators she accidentally set herself on fire while trying to destroy the car, an obvious piece of evidence.

Court documents also show when two of the suspects were pulled over, State Police found a bloody baseball bat, blood-soaked clothes and a knife in the car.

Sheriff Rodella told News 13 that knife has yet to be accounted for and State Police are still investigating.

All three women are charged with murder and aggravated burglary.