The Isaac Apodaca Trial: Everything to Know About the Santa Fe Sword Murder Case
In February 2026, Isaac Apodaca will stand trial for his role in the 2022 sword murder of Grace Jennings in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prosecutors say he coerced his girlfriend, Kiara McCulley, into killing Grace with a three-foot sword. The evidence? Chilling text messages that say "I am wanting you to kill her." Kiara has pleaded guilty and will testify against him. We're breaking down everything you need to know before the trial begins.
Grace Jennings
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In the quiet city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a case of shocking brutality and alleged manipulation is set to unfold in the courtroom. In February 2026, Isaac Apodaca will stand trial for his role in the gruesome 2022 sword murder of 21-year-old Grace Jennings. The case involves a complex love triangle, claims of a secret organization, and a girlfriend who has already pleaded guilty to the murder, claiming she was coerced.
This post breaks down everything you need to know before the trial begins. We will be updating this page daily with news and analysis from the courtroom, and we'll be covering the full story on the podcast once the trial concludes. Follow Moms and Mysteries on social media for the latest updates.
Who's Who in the Isaac Apodaca Trial
•Isaac Apodaca: The Defendant. Charged with coercion, accused of manipulating his girlfriend into committing the murder.
•Kiara McCulley: Isaac's girlfriend. Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and will testify against him.
•Grace Jennings: The Victim. A 21-year-old woman who was found nearly decapitated with a sword.
The Crime: A Grisly Discovery on Jaguar Drive
On the afternoon of October 29, 2022, Santa Fe police were called to a residence on the 5000 block of Jaguar Drive. The call was made by Isaac Apodaca's mother, who reported that her son had found his girlfriend killing another woman . Isaac himself also reported the homicide from a nearby wireless store.
When officers arrived, they discovered a horrific scene in the detached garage where Isaac and Kiara lived. The body of Grace Jennings was found with injuries consistent with being stabbed by a sharp object, including what appeared to be an attempt to decapitate her. Inside the garage, police also found a bloody, three-foot-long metal sword .
The Investigation: A Tangled Web of Texts and Coercion
The investigation quickly focused on the complex relationship between the three individuals. Both Isaac and Kiara had been romantically involved with Grace before they began dating each other. According to Isaac, the three had spent the night together in the same bed just before the murder .
The most damning evidence came from Isaac's own cellphone. A search revealed text messages between him and Kiara from the night before and the morning of the murder. In these messages, they appeared to conspire to kill Grace as she slept, even discussing how they would use hydrogen peroxide to clean up the mess .
In one chilling message, Isaac wrote to Kiara: "I am wanting you to kill her, you have to end your suffering by ending her joy." When questioned by police, Isaac admitted he meant what he wrote and that he wanted Kiara to kill Grace .
Kiara's statements to police added another bizarre layer to the case. She claimed Isaac was the leader of a secret organization called "Ghost," which allegedly targeted people who committed sex crimes or hurt children. She said Isaac told her she would rise in the organization's ranks if she killed Grace . Police have stated they have no knowledge of such an organization and are investigating the claims.
Kiara also told investigators she could not remember a period of time on the morning of the murder, attributing this to what she described as an undiagnosed multiple personality disorder. She said she was "partially hopeful" Grace was dead but could not remember what happened to her .
The Guilty Plea: A Key Witness Emerges
In a major development in February 2025, Kiara McCulley pleaded guilty to aggravated second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. As part of the plea agreement, she will be sentenced to 30 years in prison, but only after she provides truthful testimony against Isaac at his trial .
The plea deal requires Kiara to cooperate fully with prosecutors. If she fails to testify truthfully, the state can withdraw the plea deal and try her on the original first-degree murder charge, which carries a potential life sentence .
Kiara's sentence includes 20 years for the murder charge (with aggravating factors including the use of a sword, the brutality of the killing, and the high number of stab wounds) and 15 years for conspiracy. Because the murder charge is classified as a serious violent offense, she must serve at least 85 percent of that sentence .
This makes Kiara the prosecution's star witness. Her testimony will be crucial in determining whether a jury believes Isaac was the mastermind behind the murder.
What Are the Charges Against Isaac Apodaca?
Isaac Apodaca is charged with coercion. Prosecutors allege that he manipulated and pressured Kiara into killing Grace. While Kiara wielded the sword, the state's case is built on the theory that Isaac was the driving force behind the murder, using psychological manipulation and promises of advancement in a fictitious organization to convince her to commit the act .
What to Expect at Trial
Isaac Apodaca's trial is scheduled to begin in February 2026. The prosecution's case will likely hinge on the text messages and the testimony of Kiara McCulley, painting Isaac as a manipulative figure who coerced his girlfriend into committing a brutal murder. The defense, in turn, will likely attempt to discredit Kiara, portraying her as an unreliable narrator and the sole party responsible for the violence.
Key questions the jury will need to answer include:
•Did Isaac coerce Kiara into killing Grace, or was Kiara acting independently?
•How credible is Kiara's testimony, given her claims of memory loss and multiple personality disorder?
•What role, if any, did the alleged "Ghost" organization play in the murder?
The trial is expected to last several weeks and has been listed as one of Court TV's most anticipated trials of 2026 .
Why This Case Matters
The Isaac Apodaca trial raises important questions about coercion, manipulation, and criminal responsibility. If convicted, it would affirm that someone can be held accountable for a murder they did not physically commit if they psychologically manipulated another person into carrying it out.
The case also highlights the complexities of toxic relationships and the devastating consequences they can have. The love triangle between Isaac, Kiara, and Grace ultimately ended in a young woman's death and two others facing decades in prison.
This is a developing story. We will be updating this post daily with the latest from the courtroom. Don't miss a single update—follow Moms and Mysteries on social media for real-time news, and subscribe to the podcast to hear our full trial coverage episode once the verdict is in.