Overview

• Rainor Joiner, 23, and David Degroat, 22, were arrested in Taos County and charged with first-degree murder and related felonies in the killing of Matthew McLaughlin, 25.
• Authorities say Joiner confessed, guided deputies to multiple trash bags along U.S. Highway 64, and stated he did not regret the killing.
• Undersheriff Gabriel Ortiz said Joiner admitted shooting McLaughlin with a rifle and a pistol before dismembering the body over subsequent days.
• Degroat told investigators that Joiner ambushed McLaughlin and coerced him to help with disposal, and he faces conspiracy and evidence-tampering counts.
• The three met while serving in the same Army unit at Fort Benning, and officials say Joiner and Degroat had active desertion warrants as the medical examiner processes the identified remains.