ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – A detective detailed the text messages that were exchanged between the two men accused of posing as DTE workers and murdering a Rochester Hills man before they allegedly committed the crime, including messages exchanged with the wife of one of the men.
Detective Jordan Conley with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office testified at the trial of Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo on Oct. 3, 2025, detailing the text messages that were exchanged between Zuazo, Hernandez, and Hernandez’s wife before the murder.
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The two men were charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. The two allegedly disguised themselves as DTE workers to gain entry to Murray’s home on Oct. 11, 2024.
Murray owned a jewelry store in Hamtramck. During the attack, his wife was present and tied up with duct tape while Murray was killed in the basement.
The woman managed to 911 after freeing herself and when Oakland County sheriff’s deputies arrived, she told them she believed her husband may have been kidnapped. While searching the home, deputies found Murray’s body in the basement.
Hernandez was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office said Hernandez was spotted traveling south on I-49 from Arkansas. Investigators pulled him over and took him into custody.
He was extradited from Louisiana and taken to the Oakland County Jail on Oct. 24, 2024.
After Hernandez was arrested, his wife reportedly told investigators the other suspect was Zuazo, who was then located by law enforcement in Plymouth Township and arrested on Oct. 14, 2024.
Text exchange between Zuazo, Hernandez
Conley discussed the text messages that were relevant to the investigation in court using the tool that investigators use to extract messages from phones.
A text message exchange between Zuazo and Hernandez were shown in court on Oct. 3
Sept. 16, 2024, at 11:45 p.m.
Hernandez: I know how to use a lockpick set. Imma get one
Hernandez: We can into some s*** now
Zuazo: Any lock?
Hernandez: Any lock
Zuazo: Yes
Sept. 20, 2024
Hernandez: We need a car
Zuazo: Let me call the lot
Hernandez: OK
Zuazo: He said no luck yet
Hernandez: We have to have one
Zuazo: We may have to get one
Hernandez: It don’t matter, we need one no matter how we do it
Hernandez: And possible a dolly
Oct. 4, 2024, at 6 p.m.
A text message was sent by Hernandez to Zuazo containing images of DTE
Zuazo: Sam might be fired. No vehicle to work in. I’m finna go all in on something soon.
Oct. 6, 2024, at 2:25 p.m.
Hernandez: I promise you, bro, what we planning gonna be it
Hernandez: It’s gonna get us where it need to be
Oct. 9, 2024, at 8:55 p.m.
Hernandez: I’m about to leave now
Zuazo: OK
Oct. 10, 2024, at 8:20 a.m.
Hernandez: You ready?
Zuazo: I already ate
Oct. 10, 2024, at 4:35 p.m.
A property release form was then sent by Zuazo to Hernandez.
Hernandez: What’s this?
Zuazo: Waiver of damages
Hernandez: That’s for our landlord though, read it
Zuazo: I get that. Just giving you an idea in case they refuse. Something else to sign
Hernandez: The lights working
Zuazo: The baby has my phone just call it back to back so he can give it to me.
Hernandez: OK
Oct. 10, 2024, at 11:05 p.m.
Hernandez: Home, bro
Zuazo: Good s***
Hernandez: 8:45
Zuazo: OK
Hernandez: Am I picking you up at 8:45 or you wanna be out there by 8:45
Zuazo: Be here at 8:45
Oct. 11, 2024, 8:47 a.m.
Hernandez: On my way
Zuazo: I’m up
Hernandez: Ok
Texts exchange between Hernandez and his wife
Oct. 1, 2024, at 1:46 p.m.
Hernandez’s wife: The badges were delivered
Hernandez’s wife: Your account still negative
Sept. 28, 2024, at 11:57 a.m.
Hernandez’s wife: Remember what I said, if you have to leave with nothing, that’s ok. You’re the most important
Hernandez’s wife: What if he’s not home
Hernandez: I know baby
Hernandez: He will be
Hernandez: I’ll text you when we make it up there
Hernandez’s wife: As you long as you know, your life and freedom is important to me
Hernandez: OK baby
Hernandez: I know it is baby
Sept. 28, 2024, at 12:29 p.m.
Hernandez: I’m gonna have to buy a hoodie, this weather ain’t it
Hernandez’s wife: Turn your phone off when you’re out there just in case
Hernandez’s wife: Or you think you don’t need to
Hernandez’s wife: I’m so nervous, but you guys seem to have it down and I feel better now that you have a good getaway car
Hernandez’s wife: I still am really nervous though
Hernandez: It’s going to be ok
Hernandez’s wife: Promise
Hernandez’s wife: I been creeping on you
Hernandez’s wife: Make sure you don’t forget to take the tag off
Hernandez: We fkd up
Hernandez’s wife: What
Sept. 30, 2024, at 1:03 a.m.
Hernandez: I am baby
Hernandez’s wife: Make Yogi take it. Don’t be doing all the work
According to the detective, the truck used in the crime was stolen between the late hours of Sept. 29 and the early hours of Sept. 30, 2024.
Hernandez’s wife: Makes me mad, it’s all on you because you’re the brains and the
Hernandez’s wife: Where you appears to be going to get a
Hernandez’s wife: Ok just be careful, I’ll be in the living room
Hernandez: Ok I love you
Hernandez’s wife: I love you more, husband
Hernandez’s wife: I know you not gonna take a actual DTE car
Hernandez’s wife: You good baby?
Hernandez’s wife: Imma go to sleeps
Hernandez: We just got a car
Hernandez’s wife: Are you ok
Hernandez’s wife: You driving our car?
Hernandez: Yes and yes
Hernandez’s wife: You sure there was no cameras around
Hernandez: Yes I’m sure
Hernandez: About to take Yogi home now
Oct. 1, 2024, at 2:28 p.m.
Hernandez’s wife: What else you gotta do?
Hernandez: Get this s***
Hernandez’s wife: What s***
Hernandez: The signs
Oct. 3, 2024, at 5:55 a.m.
Hernandez’s wife: You’re probably gonna have to move that truck lol She’s like that’s not stolen is it
Hernandez’s wife: I told her it was Yogis
Oct. 3, 2024, at 3:45 p.m.
Hernandez’s wife: How much money do you have baby
Hernandez’s wife: Did you make sure the tracker is out of that truck?
Oct. 3, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Hernandez’s wife: I Love you baby
Hernandez’s wife: Omg
Hernandez: What’s wrong baby
Hernandez’s wife: You gotta move the truck so we can take the garbage out
Hernandez’s wife: What do you need it for again?
Hernandez: To make the pages and the badges
Hernandez’s wife: OK
Oct. 6, 2024, at 6:53 p.m.
Hernandez’s wife: I’m worried
Hernandez: About what
Hernandez’s wife: Our house
Hernandez: It’s ok
Hernandez’s wife: You sure
Hernandez: Trust me, it’s ok
Hernandez’s wife: Well we are only five days late on rent. not too bad and 754
Hernandez’s wife: We just spent too much money in pr, that’s what f***ed us
Hernandez: Yeah but it will be ok them things will be ready tomorrow and then we can go do that
Oct. 8, 2024, at 12:04 a.m.
Hernandez’s wife: You sure you don’t need anything else baby
Hernandez: I don’t think so those badges would be nice
Hernandez’s wife: Yeah but I don’t know how to make that plus I don’t think you need it I’ll look it up
A link was then sent by Hernandez’s wife to Hernandez with photos of ID badges, according to the detective.
Hernandez’s wife: Something like that but with no pictures
Hernandez: Takes too long to ship. I’m tryna be gone by Thursday
Oct. 9, 2024
Hernandez’s wife: I hope we get enough money to buy a house
Hernandez: Me too, baby, our own home
Hernandez’s wife: No rent
Hernandez: Yes
Hernandez: If what I feel is here, we gonna be good
Hernandez’s wife: So we can have a nice backyard
Hernandez: I’m like, I wonder what’s there
Hernandez: I just pulled up to yogis
Hernandez’s wife: Don’t be too long, you need the truck and sleeps
Hernandez: I know
Hernandez’s wife: Be safe
Hernandez: Always am
Oct. 10, 2024
Hernandez’s wife: Wyd love
Hernandez: He’s grabbing weed then we’re getting back to get the truck
Hernandez’s wife: Ok, baby. You got your head ready
Hernandez: Yes
Hernandez’s wife: Just be careful
Hernandez’s wife: Promise
Hernandez: Promise
Hernandez’s wife: I love you so much
Hernandez: I love you too
Oct. 10, 2024, the night before the alleged murder
Hernandez’s wife: You guys are gonna go this late?
Hernandez’s wife: Remember what I said, s*** seem weird, GTFO,
Hernandez: Promise
Hernandez’s wife: I love you
Hernandez: I love you too, let me get into work mode
Hernandez: I’ll call you when we done
Hernandez’s wife: Wear a mask when you get close
Hernandez: I got it on now
Hernandez’s wife: Ok, baby get your head good
Oct 10, 2024
Hernandez’s wife: Are you done
Hernandez: No
Hernandez’s wife: What happened
Hernandez: I’ll tell you when we get there
Hernandez’s wife: You need me to pick you up?
Hernandez: Yes, we did good though
Oct. 11, 2025
Hernandez: Put the hardhats on the porch please
Hernandez’s wife: OK
Hernandez’s wife: Where are you parking the Jeep?
Hernandez: At the house
Hernandez: No, at your mom’s. You’re gonna have to come get us
Hernandez’s wife: Oh, ok
Hernandez’s wife: I was confused
Hernandez: OK
Hernandez’s wife: When do you think I’ll have to do that?
Hernandez’s wife: Just bring the keys inside, I’m going to sleep
Hernandez: You sleep?
Hernandez’s wife: I was, why?
Hernandez’s wife: Here
Hernandez’s wife then sends a link to a news article describing the crime in Rochester Hills.
Hernandez’s wife: What you wanna do?
Hernandez’s wife: We need to leave
Hernandez’s wife: We need to get you outta here faster
Hernandez’s wife: We don’t have the money to do it
Hernandez’s wife: Sweating
Hernandez’s wife: Wya (Where you at)
Hernandez: Driving
Hernandez’s wife: Coming here
Hernandez: I’ll talk to you when I get home
Hernandez’s wife: Are we still leaving tomorrow or what?
Hernandez’s wife: Call me ft audio (FaceTime)
Hernandez’s wife: Don’t get the plate just in case
Hernandez’s wife: What if there are cameras you can’t see
Hernandez’s wife: Put gas in so it don’t look like you went far
Hernandez: I am
Hernandez’s wife: I’m done
Hernandez’s wife: I’m so sad, baby, I’m so sad
Hernandez: It’s going to be ok
Hernandez’s wife: Promise
Hernandez: Promise
Hernandez’s wife: Think it would blow over?
Hernandez: Yes
Hernandez’s wife: I don’t think anybody will tell that it’s you
Hernandez: I pray not
Hernandez’s wife: Me too
Hernandez: I just got back here