In a solemn resolution to a harrowing chapter of domestic violence turned deadly, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell declared the life sentence of Dimas Coronado Chafino. Chafino (DOB 11/1971) was convicted of murdering his estranged girlfriend, Oralia Nuñez, her roommate, Omar Gonzalez, and kidnapping his estranged couple’s two young sons in 2018.
On a horrific September day in 2018, Phoenix Police were called to a scene of devastation near West Van Buren Street and 35th Avenue. Oralia Nuñez, a 24-week-pregnant woman, was found seriously injured at her home and eventually died at a hospital. Omar Gonzalez was found with significant head and neck trauma in a rear bedroom, having been shot many times. Officers were aware of Nuñez’s potential hazards due to past reports of Order of Protection violations and threats made by Chafino at the property.
The County Attorney’s Office filed charges against Chafino, including three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, one crime of first-degree burglary, and one count of interfering with judicial proceedings. Following the heinous atrocities, it became clear that Chafino had not only taken two lives but also fled to Mexico with the couple’s sons, an act that was quickly confirmed by Mexican police, who confirmed his vehicle’s border crossing within hours of the killings. After dedicated efforts by law enforcement, Chafino was arrested and extradited to Arizona, while the children were later discovered safe with family in Mexico.
Mitchell spoke on the case in a statement provided by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, saying, “Domestic violence is one of the most deadly and heartbreaking crimes we encounter. This story demonstrates the catastrophic consequences of threats escalating and victims being unsafe in their homes. Two lives and an unborn child were taken, leaving two young boys to mourn their loss for the rest of their lives. She went on to say that, while this sentence ensures justice is served, it does not diminish the ongoing need for community vigilance and protection from similar acts of violence.
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