CARRBORO, NC -- The Carrboro Police Department continues to investigate a shooting that occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Estes Park Apartments located at 306 Estes Drive Ext. When officers arrived on the scene, they located a deceased adult male, later identified as Juan Maldonado Espinoza, 41, of Carrboro.
As a result of the investigation, Dolores De Jesus Benavides Zelaya, 30, of Burlington, was charged with First Degree Murder, Felony Conspiracy, and Felony Attempted Kidnapping. Benavides Zelaya was arrested in Los Angeles on July 31st and is being extradited back to North Carolina to face the charges.
This is the second suspect arrested in this homicide. On June 12th, Karla Maria Machuca, 28, of Burlington, was charged with First Degree Murder, Felony Conspiracy, and Felony Attempted Kidnapping. She was also arrested in Los Angeles and is being extradited back to North Carolina to face the charges.
This investigation is ongoing and active. If you have additional information on this incident, please contact Investigator R. Trombley with the Carrboro Police Department at (919) 918-7415, or Crime Stoppers at (919) 942-7515.
Media point of contact: Captain Ryan Daniels, (919) 918-7418, rdaniels@carrboronc.gov.
