'Wanted his gold teeth as a trophy': Woman who helped commit double murder hears from the family of her victims

Background: News footage of Bernadette Armijo in court (KRQE). Inset (left): Isaiah Montoya (Trujillo Funerals). Inset (right): Ernie Estrada (Facebook).

A New Mexico woman is headed to prison after admitting her involvement in a double murder.

Bernadette Armijo, 51, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of 46-year-old Ernie Estrada and 24-year-old Isaiah Montoya. Both victims were found dead on Oct. 20, 2024, inside a home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Armijo was one of three people arrested for the alleged double murder; also charged were 45-year-old Israel Tijerina and 54-year-old Jay Kriling. Tijerina's case remains open, and Kriling pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

On Monday, Armijo was sentenced to 16 years in prison after entering her guilty plea. She had also been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and four counts of conspiracy.

During the sentencing hearing, covered by local Fox affiliate KRQE, Armijo heard from the family members of the men whose deaths she caused. Montoya's sister told the court that the details she learned as the case progressed included what Armijo may have been after.

Montoya's sister said, "Bernadette Armijo wanted his gold teeth as a trophy. That is very hard to sit here and believe that she did not go there without any intent to take my brother's life."

Armijo, Tijerina, and Kriling were all arrested in February 2025, months after Estrada and Montoya were found dead. Of the three, Tijerina was the first to be charged with murder and is currently charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, four counts of conspiracy, tampering with evidence, and receipt, transportation, or possession of a firearm by a felon.

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According to court records, Tijerina was undergoing a competency evaluation and hearings had been paused. The state requested a hearing in April, but nothing has been scheduled.

Kriling pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 27.