A New Mexico judge and her pets were found fatally shot in a suspected murder-suicide by her husband.
Village of Los Ranchos Municipal Judge Diane Albert, 65, was found deceased in her home on Friday alongside her husband, Eric Pinkerton, 63.
New Mexico judge allegedly killed in murder-suicide https://t.co/jKjEV0JwET
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"Pinkerton was found dead as well, apparently by his own hand, along with several dead animals that had been shot. A BCSO dispatch, obtained by KOAT-TV, revealed that Pinkerton had told a friend of his actions and plans to kill himself in a voicemail," according to the Washington Examiner.
"He left a voicemail to his friend stating that he murdered his wife and his dogs and his cat. And he is about to murder himself," the dispatch said.
New Mexico judge killed along with pets in apparent murder-suicide | Washington Examiner https://t.co/eOHAGsRBTe
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"Albert was a judge in Los Ranchos Municipal Court. She was a practicing patent attorney who had previously served as a planning and zoning commissioner for the North Valley area, as a Los Alamos County commissioner and as president of the Bike Coalition of New Mexico," NBC News shared.
"We are heartsick hearing of the untimely death of Diane Albert, our elected municipal judge," Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Mayor Don Lopez said in a statement.
"She 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. Our thoughts go out to her family and all those affected," he added.
A judge in New Mexico and several of her pets were shot dead in what police believe was a murder-suicide carried out by the woman's husband. https://t.co/BaYEKee1k6
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 27, 2022
"Diane always entered our home with a smile and usually wearing her bicycle helmet. What a loss. Rest in peace and know you spread goodness near and far," State Auditor Brian Colón added on Facebook.
The Friends of Los Ranchos Facebook page posted: "God Bless you, Judge Diane Albert."
One comment described Albert as "such a good person, a close friend, sharp as a tack, generous, a lover of animals … I could go on. Miserable and tragic."
The tragedy in the small town shocked the community as investigators continue to search for details in the case.
The longtime judge will be deeply missed in the town where she had served for many years.
