The man accused of the tragic deaths of a National Guard mother and her 11-year-old daughter is set to face charges in Massachusetts after signing an extradition waiver in a San Diego courtroom. Dejan Belnavis, 27, has been in custody in California since his arrest near the San Diego Zoo on Monday.
The incident occurred in Worcester, Massachusetts, where Chastity Nuñez, a member of the Connecticut Army National Guard, and her daughter Zella were shot while sitting in their parked SUV. The Worcester Police Department quickly linked Belnavis and another suspect, Karel Mangual, to the murder. Mangual was arrested the day after the shooting and faces charges of Armed Assault to Murder and Carrying a Firearm without a License.
Nuñez, a dedicated servicemember, was remembered for her resilience and compassion. She had received honors for her service since joining the National Guard in 2020. Her daughter, Zella, was described as a high-achieving student who was well-liked and respected by her teachers.
The tragic loss of Nuñez and her daughter has left the community in mourning. National Guard spokesperson Maj. David Pytlik expressed the unit’s devastation over the senseless violence that took the lives of the mother and daughter. The community is coming together to support each other as they grieve and honor the memory of the victims.
The investigation into the double murder continues, with Belnavis expected to be extradited to Massachusetts to face charges in connection with the tragic incident.
