A former United States Marine will spend at least four and a half decades in prison for the execution-style murder of his ex-girlfriend, whom he shot in the head as she cradled their young daughter.
A Fatal Custody Dispute Turns to Tragedy
Dustin Duren, aged 32, was sentenced on Thursday to 45 years to life for the killing of 31-year-old Caitlyn Naffziger. The horrific crime took place on February 29, 2024, at Duren's apartment in Berlin, New Hampshire.
The court heard that the estranged couple were embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their two young daughters. Prosecutors stated Duren had tried to force Naffziger to leave his home and hand over the children. When she refused, he became angry and violent.
Naffziger was holding the couple's four-year-old daughter, wrapped in a pink unicorn blanket, on the sofa when Duren opened fire. He first pulled the child away with one hand before shooting her mother on the left side of the head.
A Child's Trauma and a Cross-State Manhunt
The young girl witnessed the entire murder. She later told a doctor that the loud gunshot hurt her ears and that she saw "lots of blood." In a heartbreaking statement, she said, "Mommy and daddy were fighting. Daddy hurt me and mommy. Mommy had lots of blood."
After the shooting, Duren fled with both children, triggering an Amber Alert. He was located roughly three hours away in the car park of an Applebee's restaurant in Keene. Thankfully, the two girls were found physically unharmed.
The couple had separated in July 2023, with both moving from Nevada back to Minnesota with the children. Duren later relocated to New Hampshire with one daughter in January 2024. Naffziger had flown to his apartment with their other child just two days before her death.
A Trial Focused on Control, Rage and Remorse
Throughout the trial, prosecutors framed the killing as an act of control and rage. "She ignored him or did not respond to his satisfactions," they argued. "The defendant became frustrated, then angry." They also highlighted Duren's military training, noting he told police he was an expert marksman who knew exactly where the bullet would strike.
Duren's defence claimed he believed he was protecting his children, convinced Naffziger was going to kidnap them. He also alleged she was demanding money and threatening to report him for kidnapping.
Victim impact statements from Naffziger's family painted a picture of a life brutally cut short. Her stepfather, Tim Smith, addressed Duren directly, stating the murder followed "years of classic textbook domestic violence." He accused Duren of showing no remorse and acting out of narcissism.
Duren's family spoke in his defence, citing struggles with depression and PTSD following his military service. Before sentencing, Duren addressed the court, saying he was "horrified" by what happened and that he had attempted to take his own life afterwards. He concluded, "I grieve for you. I grieve with you. I'm sorry."
The judge imposed the 45-years-to-life sentence, ensuring Duren will be behind bars for decades for this devastating act of domestic violence.
