Domestic abuser sentenced to life in prison for 2018 murder of pregnant girlfriend

PHOENIX — A man who murdered his pregnant girlfriend, his girlfriend’s roommate and kidnapped their two young sons was sentenced to life in prison, authorities announced on Friday.

Dimas Coronado Chafino was found guilty for the 2018 murder of Oralia Nuñez, and her roommate, Omar Gonzalez. 

He was found guilty of the following charges:

• Three counts of first-degree murder
• Two counts of kidnapping
• One count of burglary in the first degree
• One count of interfering with judicial proceedings

What led up to the murder?

Phoenix police responded to an unknown trouble call at a home near Van Buren Street and 35th Avenue in September 2018.

Upon arrival, police found Nuñez near the front door of the home suffering from critical injuries after she had been shot multiple times. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Doctors determined she was 24 weeks pregnant at the time of her murder.

Police said they located Gonzalez inside a back bedroom suffering from severe head and neck trauma. They had also been shot multiple times.

Authorities said they took repeated calls from the residence prior to the shooting for Order of Protection violations and for threats Chafino made against Nuñez.

The Order of Protection was enacted to prevent Chafino from contacting Nuñez or their children or entering Nuñez’s home.

Nevertheless, Chafino repeatedly threatened to kill Nuñez through messages, statements and over social media.

Within hours after the murders, Chafino fled to Mexico with the couple’s young sons who were ages 8 and 5 when they were taken.

It wasn’t until August 2020 when Chafino was subsequently located, arrested and extradited to Arizona where he was prosecuted.

Authorities said the children are safe with family in Mexico.

“Domestic violence is one of the most dangerous and devastating crimes we see,” County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release.

“This case shows the tragic cost when threats escalate and victims are not safe in their own homes. Two lives and an unborn child were stolen leaving two young boys to forever live with that loss. This sentence ensures justice is served, but our community must continue to do everything possible to protect families from this kind of violence.”

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