Recap of Renton murders in 2025
Published 7:30 am Saturday, January 10, 2026
In 2025, Renton saw five incidents related to murder, with a total of seven people who died.
Of the five cases, three have resulted in charges against suspects. In the three cases, the suspects are still awaiting trial.
“Four of the five homicides that occurred in Renton in 2025 were very complex investigations,” Renton Police Department spokesperson Meeghan Black said. “Through sometimes quick detective work and other times detailed and thorough investigations, we were able to arrest suspects in three of those cases. The two remaining cases are still active investigations.”
Regarding an incident where a woman was shot in the neck on Oct. 3, 2025, Black stated that Renton police and other departments are collaborating on the investigation. In that incident, around 6:30 p.m., in the 300 block of Burnett Avenue South, a suspect described as a Black male in his 20s attempted to grab a woman’s purse after she used an ATM, and then shot her in the neck. The woman survived.
“Renton detectives continue to work with Seattle PD, Newcastle PD, King County Sheriff’s Department, and Kirkland PD, who suspect the same person may be responsible for multiple robberies,” Black stated. “All the agencies are pooling resources and comparing evidence to help identify the suspect. This is an active and ongoing investigation.”
Black said that for unsolved cases, anyone with information can contact Renton Police Department at crimetips@rentonpd.com. People can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at P3Tips.com.
At about 2:08 a.m. Jan. 21 in the 400 block of Williams Avenue South, Leda Louis Files was allegedly killed by her son, Sean Preston Lowe, 21.
In this case, officers allegedly received a call from Lowe, and he told dispatchers that he killed his mother. Charging documents state that when officers arrived at the scene, Lowe was rambling something about having a seizure, and when he woke up, his mom was dead.
Officers said in court documents that they noted a glass pipe about the size of a pen with a bulbous end as they entered the bedroom where Files had been found. The pipe had residue on it consistent with drug paraphernalia, and officers found two small baggies containing a white powdery substance.
Lowe was taken to the hospital, and while lying on a gurney, he said something about officers asking him questions. Detectives then told Lowe that they would not be asking him questions, and after a period of silence, Lowe said, “I killed my mother.”
According to the medical examiner, Files had a broken hyoid bone, broken ribs and a broken sternum. Additionally, it was believed that Files was smothered to death, with the cause of death being homicide.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Lowe with first-degree murder.
At about 3:25 a.m. Feb. 1 in the 1100 block of South 27th Place, Mark Falealii, 35, was shot and killed by unknown suspects.
In this case, Falealii approached a suspect who was leaving in his car. Police report that Falealii grabbed the driver’s side window, and the suspect dragged him, then shot him once.
Police reported that in this case, at least five cars were prowled before the homicide, and at least two suspects were armed and dangerous, but there could be more suspects. Police reported that later in the morning, at 11:15 a.m. Feb. 1, the suspects’ original vehicle — which was a stolen vehicle — was found at Cascade Park, and the victim’s vehicle was found at 16302 132nd Place SE.
“Detectives continue to follow leads and identify witnesses. This is still an active investigation,” Black said. “Many times, suspects talk about their crimes. If you have any information about this homicide, please contact the Renton Police Department.”
Regarding some of the barriers to securing suspects, Black stated that sometimes there is initially a lack of evidence in cases. After serving warrants, talking to witnesses, or receiving test results on evidence, more leads are generated, and this process takes time, Black said.
At about 10 a.m. March 3, Huy Huu Nguyen, 56, and Edy Omar Romero-Diaz, 44, allegedly killed Axel Enrique Chirinos-Banegas, 23, when they bound him, causing him to asphyxiate while the pair robbed his home.
In this case, charging documents state that on March 3, Nguyen and Romero-Diaz entered Chirinos-Banegas’ home, and then forcibly restrained him with four-point restraints and covered his mouth and one nostril with duct tape. Nguyen and Romero-Diaz are accused of then stealing items from the home and leaving Chirinos-Banegas restrained, causing his death.
The pair was allegedly caught because they were seen on video driving away from the apartment complex after the alleged murder, and then investigators found video surveillance of the pair arriving at the apartment complex before the alleged robbery and murder. According to charging documents, Nguyen’s fingerprints were also found in the apartment complex after Chirinos-Banegas was found deceased inside the apartment.
Additionally, Romero-Diaz’s fingerprints were found inside the vehicle seen leaving the apartment complex, and his DNA was found under Chirinos-Banegas’ fingernails.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Nguyen and Romero-Diaz with first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree trafficking in stolen property.
At about 5:30 p.m. April 13, 15-year-old Noah Corona was shot and killed while riding in a car with three other people.
According to police, near Bronson Way and Vuemont Place, a suspect in one vehicle shot at another vehicle that was carrying four people, striking two victims. The driver of the vehicle carrying the injured people attempted to drive them to the hospital, but stopped for help in 700 block of Rainier Avenue South.
“Detectives submitted evidence for DNA testing in May and are still waiting to receive the results. They hope to get those early in 2026. Meanwhile, they continue to follow leads and identify witnesses,” Black said. “They believe this was a targeted shooting, and they are still investigating the two groups believed to be involved.”
Regarding barriers to solving the case, Black said that it takes time to gather information, submit evidence for testing and get results back.
At about 7:36 p.m. July 19, in the area of Kirkland Avenue Northeast and Northeast 18th Street, Darcey Ann Moore, 46, Jamie Lee Ray, 39, and Moore’s 9-year-old daughter, who is referred to as A.M.G. in court documents, were shot and killed by Steve Vasquez, 46.
According to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Moore’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death was homicide. Ray’s cause of death was from multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death was homicide.
At the time charging documents were released, the medical examiner’s office had not released A.M.G.’s cause of death and manner of death. However, according to court documents, all three of the deceased suffered two gunshot wounds.
According to documents, when officers responded to the apartment unit, immediately after looking through a glass sliding door into the unit, they viewed two female individuals on the ground, including a child, who had blood around them. Officers entered the unit, found another deceased female, and determined that all three appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds to their heads. All three females were declared dead at the scene, documents state.
The witness who saw some of the shooting stated that she was a close friend of Moore, who had recently started dating Vasquez. She stated that Vasquez had been at the home since the night of July 18, and she had been at the home with the deceased and Vasquez the day of the shootings, according to documents.
Documents state that just before the shooting, the witness and Ray were smoking outside the apartment before she heard a gunshot. The witness said that Ray then entered the residence, and just after she entered through the sliding glass door, the witness heard another gunshot and saw Ray drop to the ground, according to documents.
The witness then went to attend to Ray, and at that point, she saw Ray point a gun at A.M.G. The witness said that she then ran from the scene, and she did not see the shooting, but subsequently heard the gunshot, documents state.
Documents state that video footage was found from inside the apartment showing Vasquez handling a firearm before he turned the video camera around.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Vasquez with first-degree aggravated domestic violence murder and two counts of first-degree aggravated murder.
2025 convictions
Black said that sometimes Renton police detectives work on cases for years, citing the conviction of Frank Jones. Jones was convicted of the 1994 Renton murders of 23-year-old Stacy Falcon-Dewey and her 3-year-old son, Jacob. The investigation spanned 30 years and involved over 50 detectives.
“Renton detectives simply don’t give up. It’s not always quick or easy, but the investigative work is impeccable and persistent,” Black stated. “To meet the burden of proof, detectives must acquire evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that a suspect is guilty of the crime they are charged with. Sometimes, that takes years to accomplish, but we continue to pursue justice for the victims.”
