Police Search Independence Landfill for Triple Murder Evidence

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Tuesday morning, police began searching a landfill for evidence linked to a triple homicide in Independence more than two weeks ago.

They began the search at Courtney Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility, 2001 Missouri Hwy 291, early Tuesday morning and at 3:30 p.m., reported to FOX 4′s Brad Underwood that they had not found what they were looking for.

They said they will work the remainder of the day and if they do not find anything, they will return Wednesday morning.

Maria Hernandez, 48, her son, Antonio Hernandez, 19, and Tomas Dominguez were shot and killed in the home in the 1500 block of South Pope. A fourth victim, identified as a 16-year-old male, was critically injured in the shooting.

Authorities say that the shooting was part of a home-invasion robbery involving drugs, and that the suspects all knew the victims.

So far, five people have been charged with the murders:

Raul Soto, 22,  Bobbi Jo Phillips, 37, Antonio Cervantes III, 32, Kevin M. Finley, 33, and Carlos Zambrano Jr., 27.

According to prosecutors, Zambrano was released from prison just a week and a half before the shootings.

All suspects are due back in court on December 12.

FOX 4 will continue to update this story with new developments. Refresh for new information.

Click here for past stories on the Independence triple homicide.