MANCHESTER, N.H. (Court TV) — A New Hampshire judge sentenced Dustin Duren to 45 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of his girlfriend, Caitlyn Naffziger, who was shot in the head while holding one of their young daughters.
Dustin Duren, 37, was convicted in October of second-degree murder, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon and child endangerment in the Feb. 29, 2024, shooting death of Naffziger, 31. He fled with the couple’s two daughters after the killing, triggering an Amber Alert before his arrest in Keene, New Hampshire. The girls were found unharmed with Duren after his car was spotted in an Applebee’s parking lot.
Defendant Dustin Duren faces a tense cross-examination in his murder trial, where he is charged with the murder of Caitlyn Naffziger, the mother of his children, but Duren said he acted in self-defense. (Court TV)
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Prosecution seeks maximum sentence
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors argued Duren deserved the maximum sentence for killing an unarmed woman seated on a sofa.
“He was larger, trained in hand-to-hand combat, and stood between her and doorway — he was in complete control,” a prosecutor said.
The state said Duren showed no remorse after the shooting, failing to call for help or check if Naffziger survived. Instead, he closed the door, packed the car and fled with the children before calling his parents.
Family speaks
Multiple family members testified about the lasting trauma on the children, particularly the older daughter who witnessed the shooting.
Naffziger’s mother, Lori Smith, delivered an emotional victim impact statement, describing the moment she learned her daughter was dead.
Naffziger’s aunt, Brenda Plamondon, said she and another family member were the last to see Naffziger alive when they dropped her off to meet Duren.
“Within minutes of their arrival, child said daddy went ‘pew pew,’ said daddy didn’t like mommy anymore,” Plamondon said. “Did my daddy like you? Knew if daddy didn’t like you if would kill you.”
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Duren testified he acted in self-defense when he shot Naffziger because she was trying to kidnap their children. Duren also testified he’s a Marine veteran who suffers from PTSD.
Defense argues for leniency
Duren’s defense attorney requested a sentence of 25 years to life, arguing his military service and PTSD should be considered as mitigating factors.
“We are all more than the worst thing we’ve done,” the defense attorney said. “In imposing a sentence, consider Mr. Duren is a whole person, capable of redemption and rehabilitation.”
Duren’s father, Mark Duren, testified his son was an honorable student and Marine who witnessed a traumatic event during his deployment to Iraq that profoundly impacted him.
Duren addressed the court, expressing remorse and speaking directly to Naffziger’s mother.
“Lori, I have empathy for you, a loving mother and grandmother,” Duren said. “There’s no greater pain than losing a child, I grieve for you and with you.”
He asked the judge to minimize his sentence so he could maintain contact with his daughters.
“Love and stick together,” Duren said, addressing his children. “Even separated by distance, we’ll always be together.”
Sentencing
Before imposing the sentence of 45 to life, the judge addressed Duren directly about the gravity of his crimes.
“You shot the unarmed mother of your two young children in the head,” the judge said. “I’m gonna repeat that: you shot the unarmed mother of your two young children in the head.”
