Executive Summary
- Dustin Duren faces sentencing Thursday for the February 2024 murder of Caitlynn Naffziger.
- A jury convicted Duren of second-degree murder, reckless conduct, and child endangerment in October.
- The incident in Berlin, N.H., triggered an Amber Alert after Duren fled with two young children.
- Prosecutors successfully argued the crime was motivated by anger and control, countering defense claims of protection.
LANCASTER, N.H. – Dustin Duren is scheduled to appear in Coos Superior Court on Thursday to receive his sentence following his conviction for the shooting death of Caitlynn Naffziger, the mother of his two children.
A jury found Duren guilty in October of second-degree murder, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and child endangerment. The verdict was reached after approximately three hours of deliberation, concluding a trial centered on the events of February 2024.
According to prosecutors, the fatal incident took place at Duren’s apartment in Berlin, New Hampshire. Authorities stated that Duren shot 31-year-old Naffziger in the head while she was seated on his couch. Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting the shooting occurred after Naffziger refused to leave the residence.
Following the shooting, Duren fled the scene with the couple’s two children, aged 1 and 4 at the time. This action triggered a multi-regional Amber Alert. Law enforcement officers later located the children unharmed in Keene.
During the trial, the defense argued that Duren believed he was protecting his children from their mother. Duren testified that Naffziger had demanded money he did not possess and threatened to report him for kidnapping if he failed to pay. Conversely, prosecutors argued that the killing was an act of anger and control, a narrative the jury ultimately accepted.
Judicial Proceedings
The sentencing hearing represents the final phase of the trial process in Coos County Superior Court. Having been found guilty of second-degree murder, Duren faces a substantial prison term under New Hampshire sentencing guidelines. The court is expected to weigh the severity of the offense and the endangerment of the minors involved when determining the duration of incarceration.
