Man killed his ex-girlfriend and then went to pick up her 7-year-old daughter only to indecently attack the girl before shooting her twice in the head; pleads guilty
Washington – In a deeply disturbing case in the state of Washington, a 28-year-old man, identified as K. Warren has pleaded guilty to the murders of a 27-year-old woman, identified as M. Melendez, and her 7-year-old daughter, identified as Layla. This plea brings to a close a horrific chapter of violence that not only ended the lives of a young mother and her child but also revealed the darker side of domestic abuse and legal system shortcomings.
Warren accepted a plea deal just days before proceedings were scheduled to start. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing Melendez and aggravated first-degree murder for the death of young Layla. Additionally, he entered an Alford plea for first-degree child molestation of Layla, acknowledging the overwhelming evidence against him despite maintaining a claim of innocence on this charge. This plea deal stipulates a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. The decision to offer a plea deal was influenced by the desire to provide closure to the family without the need for a protracted and painful trial, which would have involved detailed testimonies about the se-ual assault and murders.
According to court documents, the events leading to these heinous crimes began on March 11, 2023. Melendez and Layla were last seen alive with Warren, despite there being a court order barring him from contacting Melendez due to previous incidents of domestic violence. The investigation into their disappearance began when family members reported them missing after losing regular contact, which prompted an intensive search. Their bodies were discovered four days later in a secluded area, each with gunshot wounds to the head.
The investigation revealed a chilling sequence of events. Melendez and her daughter Layla visited a friend’s home. Shortly after their arrival, Warren appeared and began arguing with Melendez. The couple left and returned multiple times over the night. Early in the morning, Warren fatally shot Melendez and left her body in his vehicle while he went to a party. He used Melendez’s phone to text her friend, claiming he was coming to pick up Layla, and arrived just after 9:30 a.m.
The friend, annoyed by the loud music from Warren’s car, tried to turn it down and discovered Melendez, unresponsive in the passenger seat, covered by clothing. Mistaking her for asleep, the friend was startled when Warren yelled at her to shut the car door. She then handed Layla over to Warren. It was later revealed by prosecutors that Warren then se-ually assaulted Layla and shot her twice in the head. The following day, Warren attempted to cover his tracks and drove to a secluded area and discarded the bodies of both mother and daughter down an embankment, where they were eventually discovered by two men walking a dog.
Further investigation revealed incriminating text messages from Warren, asking about secluded places suitable for hiding a gun on March 13 and 15, and expressing a need to dispose of the “stolo” (slang for stolen car) on March 18, referring to the vehicle where the crimes occurred. Evidence collected from the car included blood from both victims, shell casings, a large blue tarp, and signs of the se-ual assault on Layla, according to court records.
The case also raised significant questions about the efficacy of protective orders, the bail system, and the monitoring of individuals with violent histories, especially as Warren was out on bail in another murder case in Arkansas at the time of the murders. In a related development, Warren has agreed to plead guilty to the 2017 murder in Arkansas, ensuring he will serve concurrent life sentences without the pursuit of the death penalty by Arkansas authorities. On October 8, Warren will receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murders of Melendez and Layla.
