Dillon Waller: Las Cruces NM Murderer

Dillon Alexander Waller (Las Cruces Murderer), a 31-year-old man from Las Cruces, New Mexico, was convicted of the brutal murder of his 69-year-old mother, Cynthia Berendzen. The crime, which occurred in November 2022, shocked the local community and garnered national attention due to its disturbing nature and the subsequent attempts to conceal the act.

The case came to light when neighbors reported not seeing Berendzen for several weeks, prompting a welfare check by Las Cruces police. Upon entering her residence, officers were met with a strong odor of bleach and found Berendzen’s decomposed body in the shower. The scene had been meticulously cleaned, and various household items were missing, including kitchenware and food from the refrigerator. Investigators noted that the bathroom door was locked, and upon forced entry, they discovered the body, indicating an attempt to stage the scene to appear as an accidental fall.

Further investigation revealed that Waller had been seen driving his mother’s vehicle around November 14, 2022. The vehicle was later found abandoned near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, California, along with Berendzen’s dogs, which were unharmed. The dogs’ microchips led authorities to confirm Berendzen’s identity. Waller had fled to Tijuana, Mexico, but eventually returned to Las Cruces, where he was arrested on April 1, 2023.

“I didn’t want her to suffer any longer”
~ Dillon Waller

During an interrogation, Waller initially denied any involvement in his mother’s death but later confessed to strangling her while she slept. He admitted to moving her body to the shower, cleaning the scene with the help of a friend, and attempting to cover up the crime. Waller also confessed to taking his mother’s bank card and fleeing the state.

In December 2024, a jury found Waller guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, plus an additional three years for the tampering charge. The judge ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, emphasizing the gravity of the crime.

The case of Dillon Alexander Waller serves as a grim reminder of the potential for violence within familial relationships and the importance of community vigilance. The meticulous efforts to conceal the crime, the flight across state lines, and the eventual confession underscore the complexities involved in such investigations. The sentencing brought a measure of closure to the community and highlighted the justice system’s role in addressing such heinous acts