In a significant development, two men have been found guilty of murder charges in connection with a case from 2021. The bodies of Carlos Benford and Joshua Wyatt were discovered inside a burned-out pickup truck in Spalding County, GA. After an eight-day trial, a jury convicted Eric Cabrera Lopez and Carmen Emilio Torres for their involvement in the deaths. The verdict brings justice to the families of the victims and sheds light on the tragic incident that occurred in a rural area of Griffin, Georgia.
The bodies of Carlos Benford, 36, and Joshua Wyatt, 29, were found on April 13, 2021. They were discovered by firefighters and deputies in a rural area of Griffin along Jackson Road near the Butts County line. This realization took place after firefighters extinguished the flames engulfing the pickup truck. Alongside the bodies, they found trash and debris in the bed of the truck, the fire had destroyed the truck’s VIN number and license plate. The victims had been reported missing a few days earlier after meeting a man to discuss a joint business venture related to a music venue.
Following the news coverage of the discovery, tips flooded in, leading authorities to a vacant house in Griffin. The trial lasted eight days, during which the jury considered over 600 pieces of evidence. After two hours of deliberation, both Eric Cabrera Lopez and Carmen Emilio Torres. were sentenced to life without parole on charges of murder, armed robbery, and arson, among others.
Carlos Benford’s sister, Shinerra Benford, expressed her grief and disbelief at the cruel fate that befell her brother. She described Carlos as an amazing person who was loved by everyone he met. The news of his passing has deeply affected their family and the community.