Investigation into Ruben Moreno disappearance and possible connection to Emilio Salem Ghanem murder
Darryl Muzic Martin, leader of the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group, was arrested on December 12, 2025, for the alleged murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem, whose death is being investigated for a possible connection to the 2017 disappearance of Ruben Moreno. As of May 23, 2026, the Claremont Police Department noted that the only known similarity between Moreno's disappearance and Ghanem's murder is their ties to the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' group, and additional arrests have been made in Ghanem's murder case. A total of five individuals have been arrested in connection with murders linked to the "cult-like" Inland Empire group, including Shelley Bailey Martin and Rudy Moreno, who were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Ghanem's case on December 16, 2025. Shelley Martin was also charged in December 2025 with the murder of four-year-old Timothy Thomas, who died in 2010 from lack of medical treatment. Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. was arrested on January 12, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Ghanem's death.
Timeline
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May 2026 — 2 developments
Six suspects were arrested in Folsom on May 26, 2026, for organized retail theft in two separate incidents.
Six suspects were arrested in Folsom on May 26, 2026, for organized retail theft in two separate incidents. The arrests led to the seizure of drugs and a stolen handgun as part of ongoing efforts to combat organized retail crime in California.
The Claremont Police Department released new details regarding the 2017 disappearance of Ruben Moren…
The Claremont Police Department released new details regarding the 2017 disappearance of Ruben Moreno, noting that the only known similarity between his disappearance and Emilio Salem Ghanem's is their ties to the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group. Additional arrests have been made in Ghanem's murder case.
April 2026 — 1 developments
Shelley Bailey Martin and her husband Darryl Muzic Martin were charged in December 2025 with the mur…
Shelley Bailey Martin and her husband Darryl Muzic Martin were charged in December 2025 with the murder of four-year-old Timothy Thomas, who died in 2010 from a lack of medical treatment. This charge is in a related case to the murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem, for which Martin was also arrested in December 2025. Ghanem's death is being investigated for a possible connection to the 2017 disappearance of Ruben Moreno.
February 2026 — 1 developments
As of February 2026, a fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the "cult-like" Inland Empire group.
As of February 2026, a fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the "cult-like" Inland Empire group. The investigation into the disappearance of Ruben Moreno and its potential link to the murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem has seen significant developments. Ruben Moreno was last seen in February 2017 and officially reported missing in August 2019.
January 2026 — 2 developments
A fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the cult-like Inland Empire group.
A fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the cult-like Inland Empire group. This expands on previous reports of three arrests.
Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr.
Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Emilio Ghanem's death, becoming the third suspect arrested in the case.
December 2025 — 2 developments
Shelley Bailey "Kathryn" Martin, a leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, and Rudy Moreno (Ruben M…
Shelley Bailey "Kathryn" Martin, a leader of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, and Rudy Moreno (Ruben Moreno's brother), a prominent member, were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Emilio Ghanem's case. Shelley Martin was also charged in the murder of a 4-year-old boy in 2010.
Darryl Muzic Martin, the leader of the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group, has been arrested for the alleged murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem.
Darryl Muzic Martin, the leader of the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group, has been arrested for the alleged murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem. The group is also under investigation for the disappearance of Ruben Moreno.
August 2025 — 4 developments
Claremont Police stated that the investigation into Ruben Moreno's 2017 disappearance has "heated up.
Claremont Police stated that the investigation into Ruben Moreno's 2017 disappearance has "heated up."
Redlands police served a search warrant at a Hemet home connected to the religious organization, rec…
Redlands police served a search warrant at a Hemet home connected to the religious organization, recovering evidence related to Ghanem's investigation and arresting two individuals on unrelated charges.
Emilio Ghanem's rented Nissan Frontier pickup truck was found abandoned and burned in the Mojave Desert, with unspecified evidence inside indicating a homicide.
Emilio Ghanem's rented Nissan Frontier pickup truck was found abandoned and burned in the Mojave Desert, with unspecified evidence inside indicating a homicide.
Redlands Police Department announced new leads in Emilio Salem Ghanem's disappearance and revealed a…
Redlands Police Department announced new leads in Emilio Salem Ghanem's disappearance and revealed a connection to Ruben Moreno's case, stating both men were tied to His Way Spirit Led Assemblies.
May 2023 — 1 developments
Emilio Salem Ghanem, a former member of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, was last seen at a Starbucks in Redlands, California.
Emilio Salem Ghanem, a former member of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, was last seen at a Starbucks in Redlands, California. He had moved to Nashville, Tennessee, but was in California to open a satellite office for his pest control business. His family last heard from him by phone that evening.
August 2019 — 1 developments
Ruben Moreno's family officially reported him missing to the Claremont Police Department.
Ruben Moreno's family officially reported him missing to the Claremont Police Department.
February 2017 — 1 developments
Ruben Moreno was last seen in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Ruben Moreno was last seen in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He was 40 years old at the time and affiliated with the religious group His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. He was living with other members of the group at a residence in Claremont.