CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Both individuals identified by the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a homicide in Candy Kitchen area near Pinehill are now in custody, according to law enforcement updates and court records.
Sheriff Larry D. Diaz first announced April 18 that deputies were investigating a homicide in the Candy Kitchen area and had identified David Thomas Byington and Tonia Sue Byington as persons of interest.
At the time, the Sheriff’s Office warned that both should be considered armed and dangerous and urged the public not to approach them.
In a later update, the Sheriff’s Office said Tonia Sue Byington had been taken into custody in connection with the investigation, while David Thomas Byington remained at large. Authorities said he was believed to have fled the area in an older-model gray Ford Ranger and was wanted on an open count of murder, along with additional felony charges.
The Sheriff’s Office announced April 19 that David Thomas Byington turned himself in without incident to Sheriff Diaz and is now in custody. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Court records filed April 20 in Grants District Court show David Thomas Byington has been charged with second-degree murder, shooting at or from a vehicle resulting in death, receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon, and tampering with evidence. The case is listed as State of New Mexico v. David Thomas Byington, D-1333-PD202600009. A petition for pretrial detention has been filed.
Separate court records filed in Grants Magistrate Court show Tania Byington – whose first name appears with that spelling in the court record – has been charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. That case is listed as State of New Mexico v. Tania Byington, M-61-FR202600067. Court records show a preliminary examination is scheduled for May 19 at 8:30 a.m. and that conditions of release were set as personal recognizance following her first appearance on April 20, meaning she is currently free.
As of now, the Sheriff’s Office has not publicly released additional details about the circumstances of the killing or the identity of the victim.
A court charge is merely an allegation; in the American judicial system all suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence.