Jordan Marae Gallegos, a 21-year-old resident of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, tragically lost her life on February 5, 2023, in a shocking incident of gun violence. The events unfolded in the early hours of that Sunday morning when Rio Rancho Police Department received a distressing call at 4:13 AM.
The call came from a family member of 23-year-old Matthew Chavez, who reported that Chavez had admitted to shooting his girlfriend, Jordan Gallegos.
By the time police arrived at the caller's home, Chavez had already fled the scene in a white sedan. Law enforcement managed to contact Chavez, who was driving around the metro area with Gallegos's body in his vehicle.
After negotiating with the suspect, police convinced Chavez to return to Rio Rancho and surrender. He agreed to meet officers in the parking lot of the Premiere 14 movie theater, where he was taken into custody without further incident. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered Gallegos's body in the backseat, concealed under blankets.
Matthew Chavez was subsequently arrested and booked into the Sandoval County Detention Center on an open count of murder. The motive for the shooting remained unknown at the time of the initial reports. The Rio Rancho Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division continued to investigate the case.
Jordan Gallegos was born on May 14, 2001, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and grew up in Rio Rancho. She was a graduate of the Rio Rancho School District and was pursuing higher education at Full Sail Music College in Florida at the time of her death. Known for her passion for music, dancing, fashion, and animals, Jordan aspired to become a famous vocalist and shared her talent on social media platforms under the name BunBun Ribbun.
The community mourned the loss of Jordan, with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller expressing condolences and highlighting her dedication to helping young people through her work as a city employee. Her untimely death left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the wider community.
