On December 11, 2021, 48-year-old Eva Aragon of Santa Fe, New Mexico, tragically lost her life in a double homicide in Pecos. The incident occurred at a residence on Camino Don Luis, where Eva was present with her boyfriend, Mark Valencia, and another individual, Steven Singer. The group had been consuming alcohol throughout the day. An argument erupted between Valencia and Singer over a haircut Singer had given Valencia, which escalated rapidly.
Valencia retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and returned to the residence, where he fatally shot both Singer and Aragon. A third individual, the 63-year-old homeowner, managed to hide in a closet and call 911, escaping physical harm.
Law enforcement arrived to find Valencia in the driver's seat of a van parked outside the residence. He was arrested without incident and subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at an inhabited building, and negligent use of a firearm. Valencia admitted to the shootings, citing fear for his life during the altercation as his motive.
In August 2023, after a three-day trial, Valencia was convicted on all charges. The defense argued that his alcohol consumption impaired his ability to form deliberate intent; however, the jury found him fully responsible for his actions. In October 2023, Valencia was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the double homicide.
Eva's passing was deeply mourned by her family and community. Born on January 22, 1973, in Santa Fe, she was remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister who enjoyed the outdoors and bringing joy to those around her. Her untimely death left a void in the lives of her loved ones and highlighted the devastating impact of violence stemming from domestic disputes.
