Tijeras, New Mexico — The man, who is 24 years old and hails from Tijeras, has been formally indicted for allegedly murdering his entire family, including his teenage sister and the family dog, and then attempting to cover up the crime.
Chilling Details of a Family Tragedy
An indictment against Adlai Mestre was handed down by a grand jury on three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of tampering with evidence, and one count of animal cruelty, as stated by the office of the District Attorney for Bernalillo County. In the little hamlet of Tijeras, which is located to the east of Albuquerque, the tragedy took place on October 13, 2024, inside the residence of the family.
The victims were identified as:
- Bertha Huerta Conde (mother)
- Raymundo Mestre (father)
- Brielle Mestre, 17 (sister)
- The family’s pet dog
Alleged Attempt to Cover Up the Killings Following the Events
Immediately following the deadly shootings, Mestre allegedly carried the bodies outdoors with the purpose of burying them and attempted to clean up the crime scene according to the authorities.
After getting a call of gunshots coming from the residence, sheriff’s deputies arrived at the area to investigate the situation. When they arrived, Mestre was discovered standing outside the residence with a loaded magazine and a handgun in his possession.
“They Tried to Hurt Me,” Mestre said to the deputies, according to the allegations.
It was stated by KRQE that Mestre disclosed the following information to officers during an unsettling discussion that was captured on police bodycam footage.
The members of my family were attempting to enter my room and hit me in the heart. My father was armed with a knife, and my sister was armed with a sledgehammer. I ended up killing them.
In the vicinity of the front entrance, the investigators discovered a knife, as well as a hammer and a meat tenderiser that were smeared in blood. When deputies entered the building, they saw blood trails and patterns that were consistent with dragging and mopping, which indicated that the attempt to clean up had been unsuccessful.
Victims Found in Nearby Ravine
After some time, deputies found the bodies of Mestre’s parents and sister in a ravine close to the house. This confirmed the statement that Mestre had made while he was being held in detention:
“I was going to bury them after I had killed them.”
Proceeding with Mental Health and Legal Matters
As early as April 2025, a judge ruled that Mestre was not fit to stand trial for the charges against him. On the other hand, after more evaluation, he was deemed competent in June, which led to the most recent indictment.
Additionally, when he was being held, he made an attempt to flee by kicking a hole in the wall of his holding area. However, he was swiftly caught and placed back under arrest.
From Here on Out?
Estre is still being held in jail. The office of the District Attorney has not yet provided a confirmation regarding the beginning date of the trial.
Despite the fact that many people are still struggling to come to terms with the unsettling specifics of the case, this occurrence has sent shockwaves through the small village of Tijeras.
