REEDLEY, CA – A quiet neighborhood in Reedley, California, was rocked by a gruesome discovery this week when four family members were found dead in two neighboring houses. A 17-year-old neighbor has been charged with four counts of homicide in the case, which police have described as a “complex puzzle.”
The victims, identified as Billy Bonds, 81, Guadalupe Bonds, 44, Darrell Bonds, 61, and Matthew Bonds, 43, were found on Saturday morning in their residence on South Church Avenue, about 25 miles southeast of Fresno. Police found an empty gun safe in the house, leading them to believe that multiple firearms had been removed from the premises.
During the search of the property, officers discovered the body of Darrell Bonds, Billy Bonds’ son, in a shallow grave. Matthew Bonds, Guadalupe Bonds’ husband and Darrell’s son, was initially reported as an at-risk missing person. However, his body was later found in a detached garage on the property, showing visible signs of trauma.
The investigation led to the execution of three search warrants, including one for the house next door. There, police arrested the 17-year-old suspect, along with Brynn Curtis, 34, and Rafael Gonzalez, 21, who were charged with accessory after the fact. Curtis and Gonzalez were released on bond Wednesday, while the minor remains in custody without bond.
Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza, who has been in law enforcement for 30 years, described the crime as one of the most heinous he has ever seen. The investigation is ongoing, and Garza believes that the 17-year-old did not act alone.
The Reedley Police Department is actively pursuing all leads and continues to investigate the case with “the highest level of dedication and urgency.”