Left inset: Jonathan Romero. Right inset: David Manriquez. Background: Police at the Nevada home where Jonathan Romero killed David Manriquez in an execution-style shooting (KLAS/YouTube).
A Nevada resident has confessed to a gruesome crime involving the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend’s new partner, whom he discovered concealed in a bedroom closet. The incident, which unfolded dramatically, resulted in Jonathan Romero, aged 35, pleading guilty last week to committing first-degree murder. The victim, David Manriquez, was just 18 years old at the time of his death in July 2008, as reported by local CBS affiliate, KLAS.
The legal proceedings began when a Clark County grand jury indicted Romero last June. Key testimony came from Romero’s former girlfriend, who recounted the chilling events. According to her, Romero unexpectedly appeared at her Las Vegas residence, forcibly entered, and hurried upstairs to confront her new boyfriend.
“He looked into the room on the left and then proceeded to the master bedroom where David was trying to hide in the closet,” she testified. She further described the tragic moment, stating, “David attempted to stop him, but Romero shot him in the back of the head.”
Authorities presented evidence to the grand jury indicating that Romero fired multiple shots at Manriquez before escaping the scene. A detective revealed, “A trail of blood led from inside the house, through the front door, and extended several blocks down the street,” as reported by KLAS.
Romero managed to elude capture for over 15 years, evading law enforcement until his eventual apprehension in Mexico in May 2025. Initially, he professed his innocence to charges including murder with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon, and burglary while armed. However, last week, Romero accepted a plea deal, admitting to first-degree murder, thereby concluding a long and painful chapter for those involved.
Romero managed to evade police for more than 15 years before being captured in Mexico in May 2025. He initially pleaded not guilty to charges of murder with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon, and burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon before accepting a plea deal last week for first-degree murder.
“We just want him to pay what he did to my son,” said Manriquez’s father, Jaime Manriquez, in an interview with KLAS last year.
“He’s a coward,” added Manriquez’s sister, Ruby Manriquez. “We kind of were not ever expecting him to get caught. It was a shock. We were expecting you know, God to handle it, but he’ll get his justice here and hopefully it’s enough.”
Romero is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26. He’s facing between 20 and 50 years in prison, with credit for time served, as part of his plea agreement.
