Ruben Moreno and Emilio Ghanem Disappearances Linked to Religious Group

Reference TimelineLast updated MAY 23
SUMMARY

Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. was arrested in January 2026 in Tennessee in connection with the murder of Emilio Ghanem, who disappeared in May 2023 from Redlands, California. As of May 23, 2026: Five individuals, including leaders of the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group and Ruben Moreno's brother, Rudy Moreno, have been arrested and charged in connection with Ghanem's murder. Ghanem's rented truck was found burned with evidence of homicide, and authorities are investigating links between his disappearance and that of Ruben Moreno, last seen in December 2017, as both were members of the religious group. Additionally, Shelley Bailey "Kathryn" Martin and Darryl Muzic Martin, also associated with the group, were charged in December 2025 with the 2010 murder of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas, a case re-investigated due to new evidence and connections to the group.

Timeline

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May 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr.

    Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. was arrested in January 2026 in Tennessee in connection with the murder of Emilio Ghanem, who disappeared in May 2023. This follows charges in December 2025 against leaders of the religious group 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' and Ruben Moreno's brother, Rudy Moreno, for Ghanem's murder. Ghanem's rented truck was found burned with evidence of homicide.

April 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Claremont police are investigating potential links between the disappearances of Ruben Moreno, last …

    Claremont police are investigating potential links between the disappearances of Ruben Moreno, last seen in December 2017, and Emilio Salem Ghanem, who disappeared in May 2023 and whose case is being treated as a potential homicide. Authorities recently executed search warrants at a Hemet, California residence linked to the "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies" religious group, detaining four individuals and recovering evidence.

March 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Leaders of the religious group "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies," Rudy Franco Moreno and Kelvin Lee Mackey, were arrested on firearms possession charges.

    Leaders of the religious group "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies," Rudy Franco Moreno and Kelvin Lee Mackey, were arrested on firearms possession charges. Darryl Muzic Martin and Shelly Bailey "Kat" Martin were also taken into custody for unrelated weapon charges. These arrests occurred after authorities served a search warrant on a Hemet residence allegedly used by the group in August 2025.

January 2026 — 2 developments

  1. A fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group.

    A fifth person has been arrested in connection with the murders linked to the 'His Way Spirit Led Assemblies' religious group. This arrest follows the previous apprehension of Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr., who was the third person taken into custody.

December 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Shelley Bailey "Kathryn" Martin, one of the leaders of Way Spirit Led Assemblies, and Ruben's brother, Rudy Moreno, were charged with the murder of Emilio Ghanem.

    Shelley Bailey "Kathryn" Martin, one of the leaders of Way Spirit Led Assemblies, and Ruben's brother, Rudy Moreno, were charged with the murder of Emilio Ghanem. Additionally, Shelley and her husband, Darryl Muzic Martin, along with Andre Thomas, were charged with the 2010 murder of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas, whose death was re-investigated due to new evidence and connections to the religious group.

August 2025 — 3 developments

  2. Investigators have confirmed that Ruben Moreno, reported missing in August 2019 and last seen in Dec…

    Investigators have confirmed that Ruben Moreno, reported missing in August 2019 and last seen in December 2017, and Emilio Ghanem, who disappeared in May 2023, were both members of the same religious organization, His Way Spirit Led Assemblies. This connection between the two missing men has been established as part of the ongoing investigation.

  3. Redlands Police Department announced new leads in Emilio Ghanem's disappearance and publicly linked his case to Ruben Moreno's, noting both men's ties to Way Spirit Led Assemblies.

    Redlands Police Department announced new leads in Emilio Ghanem's disappearance and publicly linked his case to Ruben Moreno's, noting both men's ties to Way Spirit Led Assemblies. Claremont Police Department also re-circulated Ruben's missing person bulletin.

May 2023 — 1 developments

August 2019 — 1 developments