Luis Sanchez took his own life after authorities jailed him since February 17, after the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office accused him of shooting down his family in their home in East Mountain.
He took his own life while in custody last Sunday.
“The horrific nature of the facts of this case, it just common sense will tell you that there’s some mental issues involved. Now, whether those rise to a legal level or not, that’s what we were trying to determine,” Paul Fourt, one of Sanchez’s lawyers said.
Paul Fourt and Dorie Biagianti, Sanchez’s lawyers, said his death surprised and shocked them since they didn’t see any red flag indicating Sanchez would want to take his own life.
“This was a tragedy from the get go. It started out in my office as a tragedy, and it ended in my office is a tragedy,” Fourt said.
On Monday morning, someone notified them about his death.
“I was surprised. I received no indication from my client, either through verbally or mannerisms or anything that this might be the outcome,” Fourt said.
Lopez’s Last Moments in MDC
At around 6:20 P.M., a correction officer found Sanchez in “medical distress.” The officer, MDC staff, and UNM Hospital staff tried to save him but declared him dead at 6:20 P.M.
According to Biagianti, Sanchez’s wife filed a divorce couple weeks ago but when he met with Sanchez, everything seemed normal.
“Nothing that stood out that he was in danger of, you know, something like this,” she said.
This is the third apparent incident of suicide at MDC this year—officials reported Justin Stone and Josh Sandoval dead with the same apparent reason in January and February, respectively.
“It’s disheartening and it’s really sad. I’m not surprised it’s happened again.” Elizabeth Piazza, GPJ Legal Attorney said.
Piazza said they do not see changes that are needed to prevent needless deaths, as MDC security personnel claim that they train on suicide risk factors. Still, then, again, the same thing happens—their training remains insufficient, and they don’t understand what those red flags are with respect to suicide behavior.
What Happens Now
As for Sanchez’s case, Fourt raised no issues with the jail.
“With the number of three this year, that would raise a red flag anywhere,” Fourt said. “In my experience, everything was done by the book. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary on any of my visits.” Fourth added.
MDC is currently not giving any further details about the incident and says only the Office of Professional Standards and BSCO will determine how the investigation will go.
The New Mexico Office of Medical Investigator will determine the official cause of death.
Sanchez’s wife prosecutes for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Prior to his death last Sunday, the New Mexico Department of Justice had taken over the investigation of the case.
Prosecutors are charging Sanchez with multiple offenses, including child abuse resulting in death.
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office’s Statement
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office released a statement confirming the death of Sanchez under their custody.
“The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office can confirm Luis Sanchez died while in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center. BCSO is assisting with the investigation into the in-custody death following an apparent suicide attempt. Because this remains an active investigation, we are limited in what we can say at this time. Our focus remains on the victims and their family. Our investigators have remained in contact with them, and we are grateful the adult victim and surviving child continue to recover. BCSO will continue to support them in any way we can.”