A 24-year-old man from New Mexico now faces multiple murder charges after a fatal family shooting at his home. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman revealed that a grand jury indicted Adlai Mestre. He stands accused of fatally shooting his mother, father, sister, and the family dog in their Tijeras residence.
According to the indictment, Mestre shot his mother, Bertha Huerta Conde, his father, Raymundo Mestre, and his 17-year-old sister, Brielle. After the shooting, he dragged their bodies outside, intending to bury them. Additionally, he tried to clean the crime scene to hide evidence.
Police responded after a concerned neighbor reported gunshots coming from the family home. The caller had attempted to contact the family without success. Upon arriving, deputies found Mestre outside holding a gun and a loaded magazine.
Mestre reportedly told officers, “My family tried to attack me with weapons, so I killed them.” However, he later claimed their wounds were already healed when he found their bodies. Deputies discovered a knife near the front door and blood trails throughout the house. A hammer and meat tenderizer covered in blood also appeared near the entrance.
Officers found the victims’ bodies in a nearby ravine. Mestre admitted to killing them and planning to bury the bodies. Inside the house, deputies noticed blood patterns that suggested dragging and cleaning efforts.
While in custody, Mestre attempted to escape. He kicked a hole in the wall of his detention room but failed to break free. Initially, a judge ruled Mestre incompetent to stand trial. Yet later, medical evaluations found him competent.
The charges against Mestre include three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of evidence tampering, and one count of animal cruelty. This tragic fatal family shooting has shocked the New Mexico community as investigations continue.
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