Commonwealth v. Melissa Nanette Diaz; 31 Years to Serve for Killing of Boyfriend, Hiding Body in Car

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Melissa Nanette Diaz, 45, formerly of the 500 block of Brian Avenue in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was found guilty by a jury on charges of Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Conceal a Dead Body, and Physically Defile Dead Human Body. The jury fixed her punishment at 31 years in prison. Circuit Court Judge Kevin M. Duffan, who presided over the four-day trial, formally imposed that sentence today.

The Commonwealth's evidence proved that on February 5, 2020, Melissa Nanette Diaz shot and killed her boyfriend, Steven Wynn, at the Red Roof Inn on Ballard Court in the City of Virginia Beach. The couple had been arguing in the days leading up to the murder. After shooting Wynn, Diaz called a friend to help her move Wynn's body. Diaz, her friend, and two other people she encountered in the hotel parking lot helped move Wynn's body into Diaz's car after Diaz told them the body was a grandfather clock. One of the people who helped began to question whether they actually moved a clock or a body and left a message for hotel management. Upon receiving the message on February 9, 2020, management notified the police who began an investigation.

When police went to Diaz's home on February 9, 2020, to arrest her, she was hiding in her attic. Wynn's body was located in her car. She had been posting fake messages from Wynn's social media to make it appear that he was still alive. Diaz admitted to police that she killed Wynn.

Diaz has prior convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana <1/2 Ounce, Possession of Marijuana, Falsely Identify Self to Law Enforcement, and Obstruction of Justice.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys Brandon C. Emery and Megan M. Lang prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.