Diane Michelle Zamora was born on January 21, 1978, and grew up in Texas, where she became known for her academic excellence and strict personal discipline. A high achiever from a young age, Zamora was ambitious, competitive, and determined. Her dream was to attend the United States Naval Academy, which she successfully achieved after excelling in high school.

While attending Crowley High School, Zamora began dating David Graham, a fellow high-performing student, Civil Air Patrol member, and Air Force Academy hopeful. The two teens were intensely devoted to one another and became engaged just months into their relationship. 

On December 4, 1995, Diane Zamora and David Graham planned to kill Adrianne Jones, whom Zamora believed was a romantic rival. They drove to Joe Pool Lake in Texas, where Graham had arranged to meet Jones. Zamora hid in the hatchback of her car. After they arrived, she got out and confronted Jones about a previous alleged sexual encounter with Graham. When Jones admitted to this, Zamora became extremely angry.

A struggle ensued between Zamora, Graham, and Jones. During this struggle, Zamora hit Jones on the head with weights. Jones managed to escape and ran into a field. Graham then shot her twice with a handgun. After the shooting, they cleaned up the scene and disposed of their blood-stained clothes before going home.

The body of Adrianne Jones was found later that day in an open field near the lake. The medical examiner determined that she had been shot and had suffered blunt force trauma to the head. Investigation led to Zamora and Graham, who were apprehended on September 6, 1996, after Zamora confessed to her roommates at the Naval Academy.

Both Zamora and Graham were arrested for capital murder. During separate interrogations, they each confessed to the crime, although they later recanted their confessions. The main details remained consistent between their accounts. They were both found guilty in separate trials and received life sentences.