Court proceedings and murder charges in two states

Details of the death of Benilda Ruiz

Benilda Ruiz, an 84-year-old adopted mother, died in March 2026. Her family last saw her alive on March 8, 2026.

On March 13, 2026, Joseph Ruiz called 911 to report his mother died the previous night. First responders found the victim wrapped in a blanket.

An autopsy showed bruising, marks from suffocation, and broken bones throughout the body of Benilda Ruiz.

Witness accounts of the incident

Neighbors reported seeing Joseph Ruiz and his mother yelling in front of their Washtenaw home. Ruiz grabbed his mother’s arm, threw her into a car, and drove away.

Ruiz returned roughly 30 minutes later. He began tossing bags of jewelry and women’s clothing onto the front yard and sidewalk.

Family reaction to the arrest of Joseph Ruiz

Jorge Bustos said family members felt anxious while waiting for information about the case. He added that he was not surprised when police took Ruiz into custody.

"I always thought that he had something to do with it," Bustos said. He also stated that Benilda Ruiz did not deserve this and pleaded for justice in hopes of moving on.

"There is a sense of relief that he's not going to be out on the streets or able to do anything to anyone else," Bustos said. "We've been on pins and needles because we just didn't know what was going on," he added.

Background on Joseph Ruiz

Family members described Benilda Ruiz as a caring woman who contributed to her community and attended church each day. Her son, Joseph Ruiz, is the father of 15-year-old twins, according to attorneys.

Following the incident, Joseph Ruiz was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where he was described as paranoid and delusional. Attorneys also noted that Ruiz has had several domestic arrests in other states unrelated to the death of his mother.

Four suspects charged in murder of Austin Payne

Authorities transported all 4 suspects to the Dougherty County Jail following their arrests.

Investigation into the shooting of Austin Payne

Albany police officers discovered Austin Payne's body inside an abandoned home on the 800 block of Cameo Lane on Nov. 1.

Albany Police Chief Michael Persley said on Nov. 2 that Payne contacted his mother after the shooting. "He did make a call to his mother that he had been shot," Persley said.

Investigators reconstructed the events using witness statements, cellphone records, and surveillance footage.

Circumstances surrounding the death of Austin Payne

Investigators believe the suspects targeted Payne in an attempted robbery linked to a handgun he recently displayed on social media.

Payne would have turned 16 on Nov. 12 and is survived by his mother and a 17-year-old sister. The family has established a GoFundMe fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses.

The Albany Police Department asks anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact them at 229-431-2100.