Suspect in Portland mother's killing extradited from Kentucky, appears in court

Dariel Nunez Montero accused of killing Courtney Clinton in 2024 is now in custody in Washington state

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:19am by Ben Kaplan

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An extreme close-up photograph of a discarded cell phone with a cracked screen, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty details of a criminal investigation.The extradition of the suspect in Courtney Clinton's murder case exposes the harsh realities of cross-state crime investigations and the long wait for justice.Portland Today

Dariel Nunez Montero, the 32-year-old man accused of killing a Portland mother named Courtney Clinton in 2024, has been extradited from Kentucky and appeared in a Clark County, Washington courtroom for the first time on Thursday. Clinton's body was found in her car along with her 1-year-old son, who was unharmed. Nunez Montero also faces charges in Oregon related to computer crime and fuel theft.

Why it matters

The arrest and extradition of Nunez Montero brings some closure to the family of Courtney Clinton, who was tragically killed over two years ago. The case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in tracking down suspects who flee across state lines, as well as the emotional toll on victims' loved ones as they await justice.

The details

Nunez Montero, 32, appeared in court remotely from jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. He was extradited from Montgomery County, Kentucky on Wednesday, where he was being held on unrelated charges. On the morning of November 1, 2024, Clinton's body was found in her car along with her 1-year-old son, who was unharmed. The medical examiner determined that Clinton died from cut wounds to her neck.

  • On the morning of November 1, 2024, Clinton's body was found in her car.
  • Nunez Montero was extradited from Kentucky to Washington on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • Nunez Montero is scheduled to return to court for his arraignment on April 8, 2026.

The players

Dariel Nunez Montero

The 32-year-old man accused of killing Courtney Clinton in 2024. He was extradited from Kentucky, where he was being held on unrelated charges, to face the charges in Washington.

Courtney Clinton

The Portland mother who was found dead in her car in November 2024, with her 1-year-old son unharmed. The medical examiner determined she died from cut wounds to her neck.

Dawnetta Farlow

Courtney Clinton's aunt, who said she is relieved Nunez Montero is back in Washington and that while it won't bring her niece back, it is part of the healing process.

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What they’re saying

“I'm glad that he's finally here and we can move forward with this. It's never going to bring her back or anything like that, but it's definitely part of the healing process.”

— Dawnetta Farlow, Courtney Clinton's aunt

What’s next

The judge overseeing Thursday's hearing said Clatsop County wants Nunez Montero transferred to their jurisdiction to face additional charges related to computer crime and fuel theft from an RV resort. Nunez Montero is set to return to court for his arraignment on April 8.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in tracking down suspects who flee across state lines, as well as the emotional toll on victims' loved ones as they await justice. The arrest and extradition of Nunez Montero brings some closure to Courtney Clinton's family, though the loss of her life can never be fully healed.