A horrific scene unfolded at a home in Tijeras over the weekend as the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office says a 24-year-old man killed his father, mother and sister on Oct. 13.
BCSO Sheriff John Allen said Adlai Mestre confessed to killing his family after three people were found dead in a ravine near the home.
Mestre is facing three open counts of murder in the first degree, five counts of tampering with evidence, one count of extreme cruelty to animals, one count of escape from the custody of a peace officer and one count of criminal damage to property.
Allen said deputies found Mestre’s father, Raymundo, 46, mother, Bertha, 51, and 17-year-old sister, Breille, dead in a ravine about 50 yards from the house where they found Mestre. Allen also said a dog “was shot several times within the residence.”
On Wednesday, Bernalillo County Commissioner Eric Olivas, who represents the East Mountains, released a statement on the triple homicide.
“Like so many in our community I am shocked and appalled by the brutal triple homicide that recently occurred near the Village of Tijeras. My deepest sympathies to the loved ones and friends of the deceased family members,” Olivas said. “I also want to express my support and appreciation for the law enforcement personnel that responded to this crime scene and apprehended the suspect.”
Allen held a press conference in Albuquerque on Monday where he said this tragedy highlights systemic issues, including the need for better mental health care and implementation of the state’s red flag law, which allows people – usually police officers and family members – to petition a judge for an emergency order that would temporarily remove firearms from a person found to be at risk of harming themselves or someone else.
“While the investigation is still in progress, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen has already said this case is pointing to critical gaps in our laws and systems,” Olivas said. “The sheriff is emphasizing the critical importance of statewide policy changes that include red flag laws, criminal competency statutes, and animal cruelty penalties.”
Olivas said he wants something to be done to try to prevent another tragedy during the next legislative session, which is scheduled to begin on Jan. 21 and run through March 22.
“I call on my colleagues in the Legislature and the governor to help us improve public safety in the upcoming legislative session and focus on ensuring that our community is protected while offering behavioral health services and rehabilitation to those in need to avert tragedies like the one we just had in Tijeras,” Olivas said.