Detectives Describe Strained Father-Son Relationship at Hearing for Dos Palos Man Accused of Killing Father

A man accused of killing his father at their Dos Palos home appeared in a Merced courtroom this week as detectives testified about the case and the relationship between the two men.

Porfirio Romero, 43, is charged in the December 2025 death of his father. During cross-examination, detectives were asked about how the pair got along. Detective Adam Coronado said they "didn't have a good relationship" and that the father had worried about his son. "They didn't have a good relationship and he was concerned that Romero would do something to his father," Coronado said.

Police went into the home on Dec. 16 after a welfare check. They found the 88-year-old man dead and face down in the living room. He had an estimated four gunshot wounds and several stab wounds.

The lead detective testified that Romero admitted to shooting his father in the back of the head. Coronado described Romero's account: "He stated it was early in the morning and he was having thoughts in his head and at which point in time he took a firearm and shot his dad as he was sitting down on couch watching tv in the living room."

Detectives said Romero fired several shots and unloaded his gun. He then went to the kitchen, took a knife and stabbed his father until he was certain the man was dead. Coronado said investigators found evidence tied to a missing kitchen knife. "I recall that the biggest knife that fits in kitchen block was missing," he said.

Investigators said that after the killing, Romero fled and purchased a rental car. The next day, Dos Palos police found his phone at a gas station in Chowchilla. Officers then tried to stop a rented white BMW, but authorities said Romero refused to pull over. He led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit through three counties before being taken into custody in Fresno.

In court, defense attorney Dominic Falasco continued to focus on his client's mental health. He asked Coronado whether Romero had said that on the morning of his father's death he was trying to talk everybody out of doing anything. "Yes," Coronado answered. Falasco then asked whether "everybody" referred to voices Romero was hearing in his head. "Correct," Coronado replied.

Romero is scheduled to return to court Nov. 12 for his arraignment.