Diana Alba Soular

Las Cruces Sun-News

MESILLA - Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating what's believed to be a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of an elderly couple in the Rasaaf Hills area west of Mesilla.

The bodies of the man and a woman whose identities haven't been revealed, were discovered Monday morning by a family member of the woman who on Sunday had been in communication with her and had become concerned about her welfare, according to DASO. It's unclear if the couple died Sunday night or early Monday morning.

The couple is believed to have lived together for about three decades but weren't married, said DASO spokeswoman Kelly Jameson.

"Both appeared to have suffered from gunshot wounds to the head," she said.

Investigators believe the man shot the woman before turning the weapon on himself.

In addition, the couple's dog was shot and killed, according to DASO.

About half a dozen vehicles and a crime scene unit could be seen Monday afternoon at the couple's home, in the 2300 block of Mesilla Hills Drive. Crime scene tape roped off the driveway to a white house surrounded by trees. DASO investigators and crime scene technicians occasionally entered and exited the property and could be seen walking around the house.

The subdivision is perched on a desert hillside, peppered with yucca plants and mesquite bushes, between the valley floor and the West Mesa. To the east, a scenic view of farm fields and the Organ Mountains was visible.

The bodies of the man and woman will be sent to the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner for an autopsy, according to DASO.

DASO Undersheriff Ken Roberts said that "with an event like this, often we are left with more questions than answers."

"The sheriff and our agency extend condolences to the family and friends as this investigations moves forward," he said.

The home is about four properties south of — as well as across the street from — the property where a triple murder happened in 2010. A jury determined Eugene “Gino” Ferri of Las Cruces shot to death Gilles Delisle, 69, and Helga Delisle, 72, and their friend and business partner, Peter J. Weith, 68, as the three arrived separately at the Delisles’ home near Mesilla on the evening of April 14, 2010. Court records indicated the killings were motivated by “multiple contentious legal proceedings” with the Delisles and Weith. On the morning of April 15, 2010, the bodies of the Delisles and Weith were found at the Delisles’ home.

Ferri must serve at least 30 years in prison for each life sentence imposed, a total of 90 years.