Dariel Nunez-Montero, 32, is set to be extradited from Kentucky to Washington state to face charges for the murder of Courtney Clinton, a mother who was killed in front of her 1-year-old son. The tragic incident took place in Vancouver, Washington, in October 2024.
Details of the Crime
- Victim: Courtney Clinton, 32, was found dead inside a Ford Edge SUV on November 1, 2024, in the 300 block of Blandford Dr. in Vancouver, Washington. Her 1-year-old son was in the vehicle at the time but was unharmed.
- Cause of Death: The victim suffered fatal slash wounds to her throat, inflicted by an edged weapon.
- Discovery: A passerby found the vehicle and initially thought Clinton had been shot due to the blood inside the car. Police arrived to find Clinton’s body with severe neck injuries.
Investigation and Extradition
- DNA Evidence: Investigators found Nunez-Montero’s DNA inside the vehicle, including on the front passenger door. Clinton’s DNA was also found under her fingernails, but it’s unclear if it matches Nunez-Montero’s.
- Video Evidence: Surveillance footage allegedly shows Nunez-Montero leaving his apartment with a woman resembling Clinton and carrying a baby carrier at 3:31 a.m. on October 29, 2024. The video reportedly shows him returning alone at 6:29 a.m., after which Clinton’s whereabouts are unknown until her body was discovered days later.
- Last Known Location: Clinton sent her location to a friend at 3:38 a.m. on the same morning, indicating she was near Nunez-Montero’s apartment in the Walnut Grove Apartments.
Arrest and Charges
- Arrest: Nunez-Montero was arrested in Montgomery County, Kentucky, on unrelated charges but was later served with an arrest warrant for first-degree murder.
- Charges: He faces charges of first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and improper disposal of human remains.
- Extradition: Nunez-Montero is expected to be extradited back to Washington in the coming weeks to face trial.
Motive and Background
- Unknown Connection: The motive behind the killing remains unclear, but Clinton was known to meet men via social media and had reportedly posted on escort websites. Police are investigating whether Nunez-Montero was one of the men Clinton met through these platforms.
- Enterprise Car Rental: The car Clinton was found in was rented from Enterprise, and the company had been attempting to reach her due to unpaid payments. When they called, a man (not Clinton) answered and claimed to have found her phone.
Next Steps
- Mental Health Evaluation: The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has stated that they will continue to investigate the case and prepare for the extradition of Nunez-Montero to Washington.
- Court Hearing: The probable cause hearing for Nunez-Montero is scheduled for April 17, 2026.
