New Mexico brute Adlai Mestre allegedly shot parents, teen sister and family dog to death — and dragged their corpses to ravine to ‘bury them’
A horrific crime shook the quiet town of Tijeras, New Mexico, when Adlai Mestre, a 24-year-old man, allegedly shot and killed his parents, his teenage sister, and even the family dog. The gruesome incident took place on October 13, 2024, inside the Mestre family home.
Mestre was indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and animal cruelty for the heinous killings. When police arrived at the scene after reports of gunfire, they found Mestre outside the house with a gun and a loaded magazine in his possession. It was a scene of unimaginable horror as authorities discovered the lifeless bodies of Bertha Huerta Conde, 51, Raymundo Mestre, 46, and 17-year-old Brielle Mestre in a ravine near the house.
According to court documents, Mestre confessed to the killings, stating that he had planned to bury the bodies. He allegedly told officers that he had killed his father in the living room and his mother as she descended the stairs. However, he claimed to have no knowledge of what happened to his younger sister.
The police also found evidence of Mestre attempting to clean up the crime scene, with bloodstains, drag marks, and mop streaks evident in the house. Mestre’s disturbing behavior continued as he kicked and punched a hole through the wall of the interrogation room and briefly escaped before being recaptured.
Mestre, who has a history of mental illness, was initially deemed unfit to stand trial in April. However, a judge reversed that decision last month, and he now faces charges of three counts of tampering with evidence in addition to the murder and animal cruelty charges.
The community of Tijeras was left reeling from the senseless violence that tore apart the Mestre family. The details of the case are chilling, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of untreated mental illness and the tragic consequences it can have on families and communities.
