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Details of what New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and law enforcement officials described as an unspeakable crime emerged in a criminal complaint made public Thursday. Police said Victoria was injected with methamphetamine, sexually assaulted, strangled and stabbed before being dismembered.

The killing happened on the day Victoria was going to celebrate her 10th birthday.

“This homicide is the most gruesome act of evil I have ever seen in my career,” Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden Jr. said.

The girl’s mother, 35-year-old Michelle Martens, her 31-year-old boyfriend, Fabian Gonzales, and his 31-year-old cousin, Jessica Kelley, face charges of child abuse resulting in death, kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Gonzales and Kelley also face charges of criminal sexual penetration of a minor.

Gonzales denied having involvement with Victoria’s death while reporters yelled questions at him as he was led out of the police station in handcuffs late Wednesday. The girl’s mother said nothing as she taken from the police station to a police cruiser and driven away.

Police said Kelley was hospitalized and will be booked after she’s released. No details were disclosed about why she was hospitalized.

Bail was set at $1 million each for Martens and Gonzales at their first court appearance Thursday afternoon. The two did not speak in court, and the public defence lawyer who represented them did not comment about the allegations.

As news spread about Victoria’s death, neighbours and friends built a makeshift memorial under a tree near the apartment complex, adorning it with stuffed animals and candles. Some hugged while others cried and prayed.

In the evening, dozens of people gathered for a candlelight vigil and the shrine grew.

Christie Zamora said Victoria attended her gymnastics class every Saturday and always seemed happy.

“She was incredibly social,” Zamora said. “It’s just so tragic.”

Another shrine was erected at Petroglyph Elementary School, where Victoria had just started the new school year.

School officials said in a statement that, like the rest of the community, their hearts ache. “Victoria is in our thoughts and prayers as we hold our children just a little tighter on this sad day,” the statement read.