New Mexico Judge And Her Pets Killed By Husband In Alleged Murder-Suicide, Police Say

A New Mexico judge and her pets were allegedly killed in a murder-suicide by her husband, according to police.

Village of Los Ranchos Municipal Judge Diane Albert, 65, died in the Friday shooting allegedly at the hands of her husband Eric Pinkerton, 63, who also shot and killed several pets before turning the gun on himself, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).

“A friend of the decedents contacted deputies after receiving a troubling message from Eric Pinkerton. Upon arrival deputies located the decedents inside the residence along with several dead animals,” the BSCO’s Twitter account noted.

“Eric Pinkerton is believed to have shot his wife and several animals in the house before shooting himself,” it added, confirming the identities of the two deceased individuals.

This is believed to be a Murder-suicide. A friend of the decedents contacted deputies after receiving a troubling message from Eric Pinkerton. Upon arrival deputies located the decedents inside the residence along with several dead animals. https://t.co/d5cA7ERdZk

— BCSO (Sheriff) NM (@BCSONM) November 26, 2022

Local KOAT-TV reported that dispatch information said, “He left a voice-mail to his friend stating that he murdered his wife and his dogs and his cat. And he is about to murder himself.”

Police conducted a welfare check following the reported message at 820 Ranchitos Rd. NW in Los Ranchos, where they discovered the bodies of the couple and dead animals.

“We are heartsick hearing the news of this senseless tragedy,” Los Ranchos Administrator Ann Simon said. “Diane Albert, our elected municipal judge, was a longtime Los Ranchos resident, a brilliant mind, and a friend. We can’t ignore that this happened on the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.”

KUNM Radio in New Mexico added that Albert was a municipal judge for the Village of Los Ranchos, which borders Albuquerque. The judge also served as a former planning and zoning commissioner for the North Valley community, was a Los Alamos County commissioner, and was the president of the Bike Coalition of New Mexico.

Several other state leaders shared tributes on social media regarding the judge’s death.

“I am shocked and heartbroken by the senseless shooting death of Diane Albert, Municipal Judge for Los Ranchos, NM, former Los Alamos Co. Councilor and an accomplished & beloved individual. My thoughts are with her many friends, her family and the entire community of Los Ranchos,” New Mexico Lt. Gov. Howie Morales tweeted on Sunday.

I am shocked and heartbroken by the senseless shooting death of Diane Albert, Municipal Judge for Los Ranchos, NM, former Los Alamos Co. Councilor and an accomplished & beloved individual. My thoughts are with her many friends, her family and the entire community of Los Ranchos.

— Lt. Governor Howie Morales (@LtGovMorales) November 27, 2022

“This terrible tragedy is a stark reminder of how much more we have to do to end the scourge of domestic violence in New Mexico,” he added.

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