Two men have been charged with the murder of a Rochester Hills man, Hussein Murray, during a brutal home invasion where they allegedly posed as DTE Energy workers. The incident unfolded last October, and on Wednesday, Linda Murray, the victim’s widow, took the stand to recount harrowing details of the crime and her terrifying experience during the attack.
Linda described how the suspects, Carlos Juan Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo, approached her home, claiming they needed to check for a gas leak. Initially, her husband joined the suspects downstairs, but only the two men returned. It was at this moment that Hernandez began to demand money and jewelry from her. Hussein Murray, a jewelry store owner with shops named Gold & Glitter Jewelry and a pawn shop, was known to carry significant amounts of cash.
In her testimony, Linda detailed her chilling exchange with Hernandez, who asked for valuables, prompting her to disclose that her husband typically carried $5,000 on him, while she had $300 in her purse. Fearing for her life, she was shocked to find blood on Hernandez’s vest, raising alarms about her husband’s well-being.
In a terrifying turn, Hernandez assaulted Linda, hitting her in the face to silence her screams and later binding her with duct tape. She recounted the chaos that followed, describing how the two men ransacked the house, stealing jewelry, her phone, and the keys to her vehicle, while her husband lay injured elsewhere in the home. Despite the brutality, Linda showcased remarkable resilience, eventually managing to free herself from the duct tape and call for help.
The suspects had reportedly visited the Murray home the night before under the guise of investigating a gas leak, but were sent away due to the late hour and the absence of any gas odor. Linda had voiced concerns during that initial interaction, asking her husband if he had his Glock handgun nearby, indicating that she sensed danger.
The case highlights not only a tragic incident of violence but also the profound impact on the families affected by such crimes. As the judicial process unfolds, there is a hope that justice will prevail and serve as a deterrent to similar acts of violence in the future. The resilience demonstrated by Linda Murray amid such trauma is a testament to the human spirit, showing strength even in the darkest moments.