TRES PIEDRAS, N.M. — Two men from Georgia are facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of their roommate in northern New Mexico.
Rainor Joiner, 23, and David Degroat, 22, were arrested by the Taos County Sheriff’s Office after deputies responded to a missing persons report for 25-year-old Matthew McLaughlin on August 17. All three men had previously served together at Fort Benning.
According to court documents, Joiner confessed to shooting McLaughlin and later dismembering the body with Degroat’s help. Deputies say the motive involved personal disputes, including alleged drug use and unwanted visitors at the residence.
The confession led investigators to multiple plastic bags containing human remains along U.S. Highway 64 near Tres Piedras. The remains were confirmed to be McLaughlin’s by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Officials believe the killing occurred on July 25. McLaughlin was reported missing nearly a week later. Both suspects have admitted to their roles in the crime, according to law enforcement.
