REEDLEY, CA – In a horrifying turn of events, four members of a family were discovered dead in two houses located side-by-side in the peaceful town of Reedley, California. A local 17-year-old has been apprehended and charged with four counts of murder in a case that has left the community in shock.
The victims, Billy Bonds, 81, Guadalupe Bonds, 44, Darrell Bonds, 61, and Matthew Bonds, 43, were found dead in their South Church Avenue home on Saturday morning. The house, situated approximately 25 miles southeast of Fresno, was found to contain an empty gun safe, suggesting the removal of several firearms.
In the course of their investigation, the police found Darrell Bonds, son of Billy Bonds, buried in a shallow grave. Matthew Bonds, Guadalupe Bonds’ husband and Darrell’s son, was initially listed as an at-risk missing person. However, his body was eventually discovered in a detached garage on the property, bearing visible signs of violence.
The investigation led to the execution of three search warrants, one of which was for the neighboring house. This resulted in the arrest of the 17-year-old suspect, along with Brynn Curtis, 34, and Rafael Gonzalez, 21, who were charged as accessories after the fact. Curtis and Gonzalez were released on bond on Wednesday, while the juvenile suspect is being held without bond.
Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza, a 30-year veteran of law enforcement, labeled the crime as one of the most atrocious he has ever encountered. He believes the investigation is far from over and that the 17-year-old suspect likely had accomplices.
The Reedley Police Department is actively following all leads and continues to investigate the case with unwavering dedication and urgency.