NEWS
Inmate accused in Tijeras shooting dies at MDC
Luis Sanchez, charged in the killing of a 4-year-old and the wounding of his family, is the fourth Metropolitan Detention Center inmate to die this year in an apparent suicide
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A male inmate died at the Metropolitan Detention Center on Sunday from what authorities are calling a suicide, according to a news release from the Metropolitan Detention Center.
At about 6:30 p.m., a corrections officer at the jail found 41-year-old Luis Sanchez in 鈥渕edical distress,鈥� said MDC spokesperson Daniel Trujillo in a Monday news release.
MDC staff and the University of New Mexico Hospital medical team arrived and administered life-saving measures.
鈥淒espite these efforts, Mr. Sanchez was pronounced deceased at 6:51 p.m. by UNM Hospital staff,鈥� Trujillo said.
Trujillo said the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator will investigate the cause of death. No additional details were given.
Sanchez鈥檚 death marks the fourth time an inmate has died at MDC in 2026. The last inmate to die at the facility, 43-year-old Josh Sandoval, also died after he appeared to have attempted suicide.
Sanchez was booked into the jail on Feb. 17 after being charged with first-degree murder, three counts of false imprisonment, aggravated battery against a household member and intentional abuse of a child, among other charges, according to court records.
Sanchez had been arrested after allegedly shooting and killing a 4-year-old boy and critically injuring his wife and a baby at a mobile home park in Tijeras, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.
His wife, Paige Mowrer, was a local prosecutor with the 2nd Judicial District Attorney鈥檚 Office. Prior to the shooting, Sanchez had no previous criminal history.
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
