In a bizarre and tragic case, 25-year-old Alexis Hernandez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is accused of the brutal double murder of two adult men on November 7, 2025. The suspect claims in part that he acted on instructions to murder the men delivered via an “encrypted message in a cockroach.”
What did Alex Hernandez do?
According to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), deputies responded around 10:27 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the 1400 block of Entrada Bonita SW in the South Valley area of Albuquerque. Inside the residence, officers found two adult male victims with apparent gunshot wounds. Three other adults and two young children were also present in the home, but unharmed.
When deputies approached the property, Hernandez answered the door, brandishing a firearm and carrying a Marine Corps saber. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, viewed by People, he admitted to the killings, claiming one of the victims had been stalking him, installing hidden cameras in light fixtures, and subjecting him to “creepy voices coming from the vents.”
Hernandez allegedly told investigators that he received an “encrypted message in a cockroach,” telling him he “needed to kill” one of the men, who he believed disliked cockroaches. He said he had been seeing signs everywhere, feared for his safety, and felt compelled to act. According to NBC News, police said Hernandez told them he didn’t know what to do after the alleged murders, so he “stayed on scene and walked around.”
According to Hernandez’s complaint, viewed by several news outlets, Hernandez first shot the homeowner in the head in the living room of the house and a second man in the kitchen, then retrieved more ammunition from his vehicle before returning inside to fire again.
He told police he killed because he feared for his life and insisted he did not intend to harm the children who witnessed the incident. Hernandez is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.
The status of the investigation
Homicide detectives from the BCSO have taken over the case, continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. According to People, he told officers that he had been in the Marines, explaining the saber, though law enforcement has not confirmed whether he actually served.
According to a statement from the BCSO, “detectives are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Additional information, including the identities of those involved, will be released once next of kin notifications are complete and the investigation allows.”
