Man re-convicted for beating Molalla woman to death, burning her in backyard

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The man who murdered a Molalla woman and torched her body in a backyard burn pile was convicted for a second time on Thursday after his previous conviction was overturned and a retrial was ordered by the state.

According to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, 46-year-old Norberto Nestor Muniz Jr. was originally found guilty of murder and first-degree abuse of a corpse back in 2022 after the body of 29-year-old Amy Low was found by Beaverton police officers in Nov. 2018.

At the time, officials said her body was in such a condition her identity was not positively confirmed until Jan. 2019.

One neighbor told KOIN 6 News there was a large bonfire in the backyard the night before the police showed up and detectives were seen rummaging through the rubble.

Investigators determined Low was beaten to death and then burned.

When Muniz was identified as a suspect, Portland police officers helped Beaverton police detectives find Muniz near Southwest 4th and Ankeny in May 2019. He was arrested for an outstanding parole violation warrant and wanted for Low’s murder.

At that time, officials said Muniz had recently been released from prison after serving a Measure 11 sentence for first-degree robbery.

Muniz was held at the Washington County Jail without bail.

His trial began the last week of Jan. 2022. He was convicted Feb. 4 and sentenced four days later.

However, the Oregon Court of Appeals overturned the conviction and ordered a retrial, which began on Oct. 28, 2025.

Muniz was found guilty on the same charges on Thursday, the DA’s Office said.

Muniz’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Monday.