A South Bend man has been convicted of first-degree murder and felony firearm charges in Berrien County.

The charges against Rene Lopez Alvarado stemmed from the July 2025 death of 29-year-old Courtney Hershberger in Niles Township.

Police were called to a home on South 13th Street for a death investigation and later determined the case was suspicious.

Alvarado is scheduled to be sentenced April 27 in Niles.