CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler
Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
A judge in Oakland County, Michigan, sentenced Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of jeweler Hussein “Sam” Murray, who owned Gold and Glitter in Hamtramck, Michigan.
Detroit—The two men found guilty in the October 2024 home invasion murder of a 72-year-old jeweler in suburban Detroit were sentenced last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Yasmine Poles handed down the sentences to 39-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez and 40-year-old Joshua Zuazo, both of Dearborn, Michigan.
According to prosecutors, on Oct. 11, 2024, Hernandez and Zuazo posed as employees of local energy company DTE to convince jeweler Hussein “Sam” Murray to let them into the Rochester Hills home he shared with his wife of 54 years, Linda Murray.
They killed Sam in the basement after telling them they needed to go down there to check for a gas leak.
According to Linda’s testimony during trial, when Hernandez came up from the basement, he started asking her where the safe and the jewelry were, neither of which they kept in the house.
Ultimately, all the two defendants stole from the Murray’s home were costume jewelry, cash, Linda’s iPhone, and the keys to her SUV.
“Hernandez and Zuazo will spend their remaining days behind bars for their reprehensible actions,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said in a statement shared with National Jeweler.
“Sam Murray was beloved by friends and family. Linda Murray continues to suffer from the trauma of that horrible day. While we can never repair the damage done that day, I hope this sentence provides the Murray family with a measure of justice.”
Related stories will be right here …
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Yasmine Poles handed down the sentences to 39-year-old Carlos Jose Hernandez and 40-year-old Joshua Zuazo, both of Dearborn, Michigan.
According to prosecutors, on Oct. 11, 2024, Hernandez and Zuazo posed as employees of local energy company DTE to convince jeweler Hussein “Sam” Murray to let them into the Rochester Hills home he shared with his wife of 54 years, Linda Murray.
They killed Sam in the basement after telling them they needed to go down there to check for a gas leak.
According to Linda’s testimony during trial, when Hernandez came up from the basement, he started asking her where the safe and the jewelry were, neither of which they kept in the house.
Ultimately, all the two defendants stole from the Murray’s home were costume jewelry, cash, Linda’s iPhone, and the keys to her SUV.
“Hernandez and Zuazo will spend their remaining days behind bars for their reprehensible actions,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said in a statement shared with National Jeweler.
“Sam Murray was beloved by friends and family. Linda Murray continues to suffer from the trauma of that horrible day. While we can never repair the damage done that day, I hope this sentence provides the Murray family with a measure of justice.”
During the sentencing hearing on Dec. 9, which can be seen in its entirety here, Judge Poles remarked on the defendants’ arrogance and greed.
She called their actions cowardly and “absolutely pathetic.”
“None of us know exactly what happened the basement … but I am certain that Mr. Murray fought you with the courage of a man who spent his life protecting his home and his family,” the judge said.
“And I hope whatever those last words he said to you, or whatever that last moment that he looked at you, haunts you for the rest of your life.”
Sam was the owner of Gold and Glitter, a jewelry and pawn shop in Hamtramck, Michigan.
His three sons spoke at the sentencing, describing their father as a kind, warm, and brave man who worked hard to provide for his family.
“He was the rock that our entire family could depend on. He never let anyone down,” one of his sons said.
“He was just in the time when he was starting to enjoy his life and plan on retirement, just now starting to go on vacations with his grandkids but that tragically ended.”
Hernandez and Zuazo were convicted by two separate juries earlier this fall.
In addition to felony murder, they were found guilty of two counts each of unlawful imprisonment and pled guilty to the charge that they were habitual offenders, meaning they had prior felony convictions.
Poles sentenced them to an additional 19 to 80 years behind bars on the unlawful imprisonment charges.
Hernandez and Zuazo declined to address the court during last week’s sentencing hearing, and both also plan to appeal their convictions, their attorneys said in court.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
