A New Mexico man has agreed to plead guilty to a reduced murder charge in the killing of a former U.S. Army soldier whose body was later dismembered and scattered across multiple locations in northern New Mexico, according to prosecutors.
David Degroat, who was 22 years old at the time of the killing in 2025, has accepted a plea agreement reducing his charge from first-degree murder to second-degree murder. The agreement stems from the death of Matthew McLaughlin, 25, an Army veteran who had previously served in the same military unit as Degroat and co-defendant Rainor Joiner at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Authorities allege that Degroat and Joiner killed McLaughlin in Taos County, New Mexico, before dismembering his body and disposing of the remains at several locations along U.S. Highway 64 near Tres Piedras.
Joiner has pleaded not guilty and is currently scheduled to stand trial in December.
Investigation Began After Veteran Was Reported Missing
McLaughlin was reported missing on July 31, 2025. The Taos County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation while volunteers from The AWARE Foundation, a Virginia-based missing persons organization, assisted in search efforts.
Police said McLaughlin was originally from West Virginia and had been living with Degroat and Joiner in New Mexico.
On August 17, 2025, investigators detained both Degroat and Joiner for questioning.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators discovered that all three men had previously served together at Fort Benning. Authorities also learned that Degroat and Joiner had allegedly deserted the Army and were wanted on active military warrants at the time McLaughlin disappeared.
Authorities Say Defendant Confessed to Killing
According to investigators, Joiner admitted during questioning that he shot McLaughlin and, with Degroat’s assistance, dismembered the victim’s body before disposing of the remains.
Police said Joiner directed deputies to multiple locations where officers recovered plastic bags containing human remains, matching the locations he described during his interview.
The remains were turned over to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator for examination.
Following the discovery, both men were arrested and charged with first-degree murder along with additional felony offenses.
Prosecutors Say Roommate Disputes Led to the Killing
Court documents state that Joiner allegedly told investigators the relationship between the roommates had deteriorated.
He claimed McLaughlin was spreading rumors, using drugs regularly, and bringing unfamiliar people into the home, which caused ongoing conflict.
Investigators allege the two defendants ambushed McLaughlin on July 25, 2025, and shot him to death.
According to court records, Joiner admitted firing at McLaughlin with a rifle before shooting him again with a pistol.
Authorities further allege that Joiner spent several days dismembering McLaughlin’s body before the remains were discarded in multiple locations.
Investigators Describe Lack of Remorse
Following the arrests, Taos County Undersheriff Gabriel Ortiz said Joiner showed little emotion while describing the crime to investigators.
According to Ortiz, Joiner calmly admitted shooting and dismembering McLaughlin and appeared to express no remorse during the interview.
Investigators said the information Joiner provided helped officers recover the victim’s remains.
Victim’s Mother Wanted Trial to Proceed
McLaughlin’s mother, Rebecca McLaughlin, said she wished both defendants’ cases had gone to trial rather than being resolved through a plea agreement.
She said she believes there is substantial evidence, including alleged confessions by both men, and questioned why a jury trial would not take place.
Rebecca McLaughlin acknowledged that the plea agreement eliminates the possibility of a mistrial or lengthy appeals but said she also believes a conviction for first-degree murder could have resulted in a harsher sentence.
Plea Agreement Could Result in Reduced Sentence
Under the terms of the negotiated plea agreement, Degroat could receive a sentence of approximately 30 years in prison, instead of facing the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted of first-degree murder at trial.
The Taos County District Attorney’s Office said prosecutors and Degroat’s defense attorneys negotiated the agreement together.
When asked whether prosecutors would offer a similar plea agreement to Rainor Joiner, the district attorney’s office said there were no developments to announce regarding his case.
Degroat’s plea agreement is expected to be formally finalized in early August, while Joiner remains scheduled for trial later this year.
