Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A jury on Wednesday, Dec. 18, found Dillon Alexander Waller, 29, guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his mother, Cynthia Berendzen.

Waller now faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, plus an additional three years for the tampering charge.

The case began on Nov. 21, 2023, when Las Cruces police conducted a welfare check at Berendzen's home after neighbors reported not seeing her for weeks.

Discovery and investigation

Police reported a strong smell of bleach and cleaning agents upon entering Berendzen's home. In the master bedroom, officers found the bathroom door locked. After forcing entry, they discovered Berendzen's decomposed body in the shower.

Investigators noted missing items from the residence, including kitchenware and food from the refrigerator. Neighbors told police they saw Waller driving Berendzen’s vehicle around Nov. 14, 2022.

The vehicle was later located abandoned near the border in San Diego, California, along with Berendzen’s dogs, which were unharmed. The dogs’ microchips helped authorities identify Berendzen, who was reported missing on Nov. 17, 2022.

Arrest and confession

Waller was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Las Cruces on April 1, 2023. During questioning, he initially denied involvement but later admitted to strangling Berendzen while she slept.

According to investigators, Waller confessed to moving her body to the shower, cleaning the scene with a friend’s assistance, and removing evidence. He also admitted to taking her bank card, fleeing to San Diego in her vehicle, and abandoning both the car and the dogs near the border before crossing into Tijuana, Mexico.

Waller eventually returned to Las Cruces, where he was arrested and charged.

Sentencing is expected in the coming weeks.