Woman 'killed children and hid bodies in suitcase before mum spotted awful sign'
A woman allegedly murdered two young children and then hid their bodies in "hardened concrete" and a car boot for nearly a decade, a court heard.
Corena Minjarez, 37, is accused of the 2018 killing of 5-year-old Jesus Dominguez Jr and 3-year-old Yesenia Dominguez, according to court documents. The Colorado suspect is on trial this week for allegedly killing the two children, with help from their dad, and hiding one of their bodies in a container filled with concrete.
Minjarez and Jesus Dominguez, the children's dad, allegedly killed the children and stuffed their bodies inside a storage facility and a suitcase in the boot of Minjarez's car.
According to court documents, Dominguez accepted a plea deal in which he agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Minjarez, whom he allegedly had a complicated relationship with. Dominguez will be sentenced on September 12. It comes as a British man was charged after 'trying to drown his daughter-in-law on dream family holiday.'
Jesus Jr. and Yesenia were Dominguez's children with another woman, according to police. The siblings were last seen in 2018 before their remains were discovered.
The first body was found on January 20, 2024, when Minijarez's mum called police to say there was a suspicious bag of rubbish full of concrete in the flat.
She told officers she had a 'bad feeling' as she had not seen the children since June 2018. The rubbish, which had a concrete top, was opened up and had the decomposed remains of Yesenia wrapped in layers of bags.
Minjarez's mum also told police in the summer of 2018 she noticed a "foul smell" in her daughter's car and jokingly asked if someone had died.
Minjarez was unhappy with the comment and allegedly responded defensively and asked her mother why she would ask. This led cops to find the remains of Jesus Jr in a suitcase in the car boot of the suspect's vehicle, which was found dumped at a scrapyard in February 2024.
"During the investigation detectives located a vehicle belonging to a Corena Minjarez at a local scrap yard," police said. "On February 6th, 2024, Police executed a search warrant on that vehicle. Police located a suitcase in the trunk of the vehicle. In the suitcase were the remains of a young male child."
An autopsy report determined the manner of death for both children was "homicidal violence." A police investigation found there was no missing person reports ever filed for the children.
Minjarez, 37, faces two counts of first-degree murder of a victim under 12 years old by a person in a position of trust, and two counts of abuse of a corpse in the deaths of 5-year-old Jesus Dominguez Jr. and 3-year-old Yesenia Dominguez.
The trial is due to run through until August 29.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Hackers capture personal data of former Tory ministers, British troops and thousands of Afghans allies in latest Ministry of Defence blunder
Personal data of former Tory ministers, British troops and thousands of Afghans has been lost in another embarrassing blunder for the Ministry of Defence. Defence officials sent a warning on Friday to 3,700 affected individuals warning their personal details, including their name, date of birth and passport number, had been hacked. It comes exactly a month after it was revealed the MoD had been running secrets flights to Britain, bringing in thousands of Afghans after a data blunder put 100,000 of them 'at risk of death' from the Taliban. The latest leak concerns many of the same people and is the third involving the personal data of former frontline Afghans since 2021. Former special forces interpreter Rafi Hottak, who was seriously injured in Afghanistan, said: 'How can it be that we've now had three separate data leaks involving one of the most vulnerable groups of people. 'I am truly worried about how badly the UK MOD has mishandled the personal data of Afghan allies. 'Once again, they have failed to protect those who stood shoulder to shoulder with them.' The personal details of former Conservative government ministers are also understood to have been compromised. Former special forces interpreter Rafi Hottak, who was seriously injured in Afghanistan , said: 'How can it be that we've now had three separate data leaks involving one of the most vulnerable groups of people' Such is the sensitivity of the leak that both the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre are involved in the investigation. It follows a cyber attack on a third-party sub-contractor used by the MoD for flights into Stansted – the airport that brings Afghans to the UK. They have been flown over in a secret operation following a major data leak, which was uncovered in 2023 and then remained secret for almost two years after an unprecedented government super-injunction. It is believed that some of the Afghans whose data was leaked in that first blunder have now been impacted a second time. A subcontractor called Inflite The Jet Centre which provides ground handling services for flights to the airport was compromised. It also handles flights for the Cabinet Office. The data covered the period from January to March last year, when hundreds of Afghans, relocated after risking their lives to help British troops, were flown to the UK. The hack, which happened recently, related only to those flying into Stansted Airport. Investigations are underway into the cyber attack and ransomware demands, said the MoD. The flights were used for bringing Afghans to the UK, as well as travel to routine military exercises and official engagements. The database at the heart of the super-injunction scandal, seen by the Daily Mail, contains details of more than 100 Britons including senior military officers and government officials The MoD alert warned: 'Please remain vigilant and be alert to unexpected communication or unusual activity.' The email has been sent to those who travelled during the period. It explained that certain information was required by the contractor to enable flights to depart and arrive. It is understood the hack primarily concerned Afghans being brought here, although 100 UK personnel were also affected. MoD sources said there was currently no evidence to suggest that any data has been released publicly or on the dark web. Investigations are underway into the cyber attack and any possible ransomware demands. Tens of thousands of Afghans who served alongside UK forces during the war have been rescued and brought to the UK. Professor Sara de Jong of the Sula Alliance, which campaigns for Afghans who worked beside UK forces during the 20 years of conflict, said: 'It's extraordinary that Afghans at risk are affected by yet another data security incident involving the Ministry of Defence. 'This will even further erode the trust of Afghans, who supported British military goals and who thought they could rely on protection in return, in UK institutions. 'Afghans who are now affected by several data leaks will also be left wondering why the Ministry of Defence's communication and advice is different each time, with the limited security advice and guidance, given very little reassurance.' In a statement, Inflite The Jet Centre Limited said it 'recently experienced a data security incident involving unauthorised access to a limited number of company emails. 'We have reported the incident to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and have been actively working with the relevant UK cyber authorities to support our investigation and response. 'We believe the scope of the incident was limited to email accounts only, however, as a precautionary measure, we have contacted our key stakeholders whose data may have been affected during the period of January to March 2024.' A government spokesman said: 'The incident has not posed any threat to individuals' safety, nor compromised any government systems.' 'We were recently notified that a third party sub-contractor to a supplier experienced a cyber security incident involving unauthorised access to a small number of its emails that contained basic personal information. 'We take data security extremely seriously and are going above and beyond our legal duties in informing all potentially affected individuals.' The government super-injunction was imposed after a list of those looking to relocate to Britain from Afghanistan after the Taliban took back control was accidentally emailed out by a soldier. When the Daily Mail uncovered the leak, it, followed by other media, was gagged.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
US and UK must turn up heat on China over Jimmy Lai trial
Jimmy Lai has been charged under the same national security laws that he once dubbed 'a death knell for Hong Kong' and against which his tabloid newspaper, Apple Daily, had campaigned VINCENT YU/AP If courage has a representative, his name is Jimmy Lai. The 77-year-old media magnate and British citizen has been imprisoned for more than 1,600 days, a prolonged ordeal which began with his arrest in 2020 over his role in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. He appeared in court on Friday to hear the closing arguments in the case brought against him by the authorities. Within a short time, however, the court was adjourned over Mr Lai's ill health. It will resume on Monday. The newspaper proprietor has been charged under the same national security laws that he once dubbed 'a death knell for Hong Kong' and against which his tabloid newspaper, Apple Daily, had campaigned. The prosecutors allege collusion with foreign powers — potentially carrying a life sentence — and that he published seditious articles intended to incite hatred or contempt towards the Beijing or Hong Kong governments. Mr Lai vigorously denies the charges, contending that he was peacefully exercising and supporting freedom of speech, as protected under the Basic Law agreed when the territory passed from British to Chinese rule in 1997. After years of delay Mr Lai's national security trial began in December 2023. From November last year he gave evidence in his own defence for a gruelling 50 days. Onlookers might reasonably conclude that the dragged-out process has become part of the intended punishment for public dissent. And although Mr Lai's spirit clearly remains undiminished, his body is increasingly weak: he suffers from diabetes and a heart condition and his family fear that under continuing detention, which has been spent in solitary confinement, his health is rapidly deteriorating. • Refugee to riches: the brash billionaire who took on Beijing (and is now in jail) In earlier days Mr Lai could have chosen to leave Hong Kong to protect himself from vengeful persecution. That he didn't is testament to his strength of character and the depth of his belief in democracy. It is a source of regret that some British judges, who still sit in Hong Kong's court of final appeal, have not displayed the same intellectual and moral clarity. One of them, Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, a former president of the UK's Supreme Court, served on a judicial panel which last year upheld the conviction of Mr Lai and other pro-democracy activists on a previous charge related to a peaceful protest in 2019. The argument that British judges could help to prop up an embattled legal system in Hong Kong has gradually crumbled in the face of Beijing's growing authoritarianism. Now their presence more resembles a gilded façade on a process riddled with rot. Lord Sumption, who resigned from the court last year, concluded that the rule of law in the territory was 'profoundly compromised' and that it was 'slowly becoming a totalitarian state'. Mr Lai's supporters, however, must not give up hope. He has recently referred to himself as a 'political prisoner' and it is through political pressure that he has the greatest hope of release. President Trump's recent promise to do 'everything I can' to help Mr Lai is a welcome one, which may carry particular weight at a time when increased US tariffs on Chinese goods hang in the balance. Sir Keir Starmer, too, raised the case in his first meeting with President Xi last year. The US and UK should intensify this pressure by every means possible. Mr Lai has taken great personal risks to defend the principles of democracy. Democrats must now stand up for him.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Cancel your weekend plans to binge Sheridan Smith's 'outstanding' Netflix drama
It looks like Netflix subscribers are discovering a Sheridan Smith crime drama that first aired on ITV in 2012. Mrs Biggs is climbing up the streamer's ranking of the platform's top 10 TV shows – making a convincing argument for a mid-August weekend watch. Smith – who has so many British dramas to her name it can be easy to let one slip – stars in this five-part drama, which is based on the true story of the Great Train Robbery. The drama focuses on the relationship between Charmian, played by Smith, and Ronnie Biggs, played by Daniel Mays. It follows everything from their first lovestruck meeting and the fateful 1963 train heist, to its aftermath and their eventual divorce in 1976, after Biggs fathered a child in Brazil. We see the petty crook meet his soon-to-be wife on, of all places, a train. 'The future is full of possibilities,' he tells her. 'The past will only drag you down.' With that, the Biggs couple set off on a crime spree before they eventually decide to settle down for a quiet married life. That is, until the 'one last job' pops up in the chance to join the train robbers. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Some labelled the drama a sanitised version of events, but it was inspired by a letter Biggs sent to his wife following the death of their son Nicholas. Biggs's former wife Charmian was also a consultant on the show. The show's writer and executive producer Jeff Pope said he wanted to set out a romantic tale, rather than a romanticised one. 'We show Ron as perhaps a little too wilfully optimistic and Charmian is the cold voice of reason throughout. It absolutely would be a danger of a piece like this to romanticise it,' he told The Guardian. 'It will get laughed out of court if it's a slushfest. In the first episode, they steal, he strikes her, we acknowledge the fact he had a criminal record; further down the line, Charmian has an abortion by another man. We don't pull back, we don't flinch.' Praised at the time of its release for the quality of the acting and the excitement of the episodes, TV viewers have shared their positive reception over the years, as Mrs Biggs has been available on ITVX as well as Netflix. Taking to X, @AshWoody90 praised: 'Mrs Biggs on Netflix, possibly one the best things I have ever watched.' More Trending @elliot_gonzalez commended the creative partnership between the show's writer and star, writing: 'Jeff Pope and Sheridan Smith should always work together. Mrs Biggs, The Widower, Cilla and now The Moorside. All outstanding work.' @TVChatty wrote: 'All week I've been watching Mrs Biggs on ITV3. Why did I not watch it first time? Fantastic story and great acting. Really enjoyed it.' @lizcurran echoed: 'Sheridan Smith is wonderful in Mrs Biggs – she is one of my favourite actors. Utterly mesmerising – always.' View More » Mrs Biggs is available on Netflix and ITVX. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
