Man caught in Hope convicted of double murder in Tennessee

SHELBY COUNTY, TN – On November 16, a Shelby County, TN jury convicted Jose Murillo-Salgado on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder by premeditation, two counts of first-degree murder in the perpetration of a felony, and especially aggravated burglary. Murillo-Salgado was found guilty as charged for the brutal 2022 murders of his ex-girlfriend, Claudia Nunez, and her 14-year-old son, Kevin Nunez.

The incident occurred on July 22, 2022, around 3:30 am, when Murillo-Salgado broke into the home of Claudia Nunez, where she was with her three children, ages 16, 14, and 12. Armed with a kitchen knife, Murillo-Salgado fatally stabbed Claudia and Kevin. Claudia’s 16-year-old daughter and 12-year-old daughter witnessed the attack but managed to escape, saving their lives.

On July 28, 2022, an Arkansas State Trooper patrolling Interstate 30 near Hope spotted a westbound vehicle matching the description of one that Memphis authorities believed was being driven by the murder suspect.  As the vehicle exited the highway at Hope and turned into the parking lot of a Hazel Street convenience store, troopers converged onto the lot taking into custody Jose Murillo Salgado, 42, of Bartlett, Tennessee.

Special Agents of the state police Criminal Investigation Division were called to the store where evidence possibly connected to the murders was recovered.

Salgado was transported to the Hempstead County Detention Center where he is being held for Memphis police.

Murillo-Salgado has been automatically sentenced to life imprisonment on the murder charges. Judge Carlyn Addison will sentence him on the additional charge of especially aggravated burglary on December 17. At that time, the court will also determine whether his life sentences will run concurrently or consecutively.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Alyssa Hennig and Monica Timmerman of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit.