Investigation into Ruben Moreno disappearance and possible connection to Emilio Salem Ghanem murder

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 4
SUMMARY

Shelley Bailey Martin and Darryl Muzic Martin, leaders of 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies', were charged in December 2025 with the murder of Emilio Salem Ghanem in the Inland Empire, a case potentially linked to the 2017 disappearance of Ruben Moreno. As of April 4, 2026, Shelley Bailey Martin and Darryl Muzic Martin were also charged in the 2010 murder of four-year-old Timothy Thomas. A total of five individuals have been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the "cult-like" group, including Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. and Rudy Moreno, Ruben Moreno's brother. Ghanem's burned Nissan Frontier pickup truck was found in the Mojave Desert on August 1, 2025, with evidence indicating homicide.

Timeline

Want updates on this thread?

Track this story

April 2026 — 1 developments

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  1. 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."

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  1. 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

February 2017 — 1 developments

  1. 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.