Las Vegas, NV – A Nevada man has been sentenced to life in prison for the execution-style killing of his estranged wife in front of their children following a family court hearing. The tragic incident occurred in August 2023, when Roidan Mendoza, 40, of Las Vegas, murdered his former spouse, Marillorky Tamayo Cruz, after losing custody of their children.
The Incident: A Vicious Murder Following a Family Court Hearing
The horrific killing unfolded just hours after Mendoza’s family court hearing, where Tamayo Cruz was awarded custody of their children and the family home. The couple had been in the process of getting a divorce, and Mendoza was reportedly “upset” about the loss of control over his family.
Prosecutors stated that Mendoza’s intent was to seek revenge on his estranged wife. Clark County Deputy District Attorney Corey Hallquist described the attack in court, recounting how Mendoza shot his wife in the forehead with an “execution-style shot” while she was in her mother’s apartment.
“To feel the terror and the horror that’s going on in the apartment complex,” Hallquist said in his closing statements. “When the defendant decided that he was going to execute his wife in front of his child and his stepdaughter.”
The murder occurred after Mendoza fired 11 shots into the apartment’s door, breaking in to find Tamayo Cruz in a bedroom, where he shot her point-blank in the forehead.
Investigation and Evidence: A Teen’s Brave Attempt to Protect Her Family
After the shooting, Tamayo Cruz’s 14-year-old daughter bravely tried to stop Mendoza by stabbing him in the back with a knife. Mendoza reportedly took the knife from her and tried to slash her back, but the teen was able to block the attack with her hands, suffering lacerations as a result.
“I had to protect what I had left,” the now-17-year-old daughter said in court. “So I grabbed a knife from the ground, and I planned to kill him.”
“I was a 14-year-old girl trying to defend myself and my family,” she added.
Despite her valiant efforts, Mendoza succeeded in killing her mother before fleeing the scene. Police later apprehended him, and he was charged with first-degree murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.
Court Proceedings: Mendoza Pleads Guilty, Receives Life Sentence
At his sentencing hearing on August 25, 2025, Mendoza pleaded guilty to murder with use of a deadly weapon, admitting to the cold-blooded execution of his estranged wife. During the proceedings, Mendoza’s public defender argued that Mendoza lost control due to his anger and pain, but prosecutors dismissed this as an excuse for his actions.
“He didn’t want this to happen, he never wished it did, but being upset and angry and injured, he entered into this red zone of emotions,” Mendoza’s defense lawyer said.
Despite his apology to the victim’s family, Mendoza was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with two consecutive terms of 8 to 20 years for the deadly weapon enhancements.
“I have a lot of pain in my heart,” Mendoza said in a statement through an interpreter.
Tamayo Cruz’s mother, Marilu Cruz-Tamayo, addressed Mendoza in court, expressing the depth of her grief:
“I have a lot of pain in my heart,” she said.
Reactions and Statements: A Family Torn Apart
Mendoza’s actions have devastated the victim’s family, leaving them in shock over the brutality of the murder and the lasting impact on Tamayo Cruz’s children. The teen daughter has faced emotional and physical scars from the incident, while the young children are left without their mother.
The tragic event has sparked renewed discussions on the dangers of domestic violence, especially when one partner seeks control after separation or divorce.
Background Context: Domestic Violence and Family Court Cases
Cases of domestic violence leading to murder remain tragically common in the U.S. Family court hearings involving child custody disputes are often highly charged, and studies show that murder-suicide or fatal attacks can occur when one partner feels a loss of power. Legal experts argue that more support is needed for individuals going through high-stress divorce and custody cases to prevent violent outcomes.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Mendoza is currently incarcerated at the Nevada State Prison. His life sentence will be served without the possibility of parole. Mendoza’s defense team had requested that he be given a reduced sentence, but prosecutors successfully argued for the maximum penalty, considering the nature of the crime and the impact on the victim’s family.
Conclusion
The murder of Marillorky Tamayo Cruz in front of her children has devastated a family and left a lasting impact on the Las Vegas community. As Mendoza begins his life sentence in prison, the case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of domestic violence and the importance of emotional and legal support during divorce proceedings.
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