On October 13, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Tijeras, New Mexico, resulting in the deaths of 17-year-old Breille Gracie Mestre and her parents, Bertha and Raymundo Mestre. The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of gunshots at 55 Young Road around 2:14 p.m. after the landlord, who lived next door, alerted authorities.
Upon arrival, deputies found Adlai Mestre, the 24-year-old son and brother of the victims, covered in blood and in possession of a gun and
ammunition. Adlai reportedly confessed to killing his family members and stated he was planning to bury them. The bodies of Breille, Bertha, and Raymundo were discovered in a ravine approximately 50 yards from the family's residence. Additionally, the family dog was found shot multiple times inside the home.
Adlai Mestre was arrested and is facing several charges, including three open counts of first-degree murder, five counts of tampering with evidence, one count of extreme cruelty to animals, one count of escape from the custody of a peace officer, and one count of criminal damage to property. During his detainment, Mestre made statements about 'seismic waves' and claimed he had shot at cellular towers with thermal imaging capabilities, which authorities described as delusional.
The investigation is ongoing, with autopsy results from the Office of the Medical Investigator still pending. BCSO Sheriff John Allen compared this case to the 2013 Nehemiah Griego case, where a 15-year-old killed his parents and three younger siblings.
Breille Mestre was remembered fondly by those who knew her. She had been a patient at the Carrie Tingley Hospital for a decade and participated in programs like adaptive cycling through the hospital's foundation. Friends and family described her as kind and compassionate, recalling a particular incident where she rescued a turtle during a bike ride. In honor of Breille's memory, the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation has established the Breille Mestre Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide adaptive equipment for other children with similar needs.
The tragedy has sparked discussions about mental health resources and the implementation of New Mexico's red flag law. Sheriff Allen emphasized the need for better systems to prevent such incidents, noting that Adlai Mestre had previously received mental health treatment at Haven Behavioral Hospital of Albuquerque, though no homicidal or suicidal ideations were reported at that time.
