Abel Efren Mares, a 22-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on April 3, 2021. He is survived by his mother, Ada Luz Garay; father, Efren Mares; children and stepchildren, Ximena Mares, Aleah Lusk, and Alaila Lusk; and siblings, Rudy Martinez, Abigail Mares, and Rosalia Mares. His funeral service was held on April 16, 2021, at Casa del Rey Church, followed by burial at San Jose de Armijo Cemetery.
The Albuquerque Police Department identified Mares's death as a homicide, along with three other victims around the same period: Sevron Mills, 45; Michael McCoy, 41; and Dony Carrera-Flores, 33. All four deaths were under active investigation by the department.
As of February 2024, no arrests have been made in connection with Mares's death. His mother, Ada Garay, continues to seek justice for her son and has become an active member of the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, an advocacy group dedicated to supporting victims' families and pushing for stricter gun laws. The group has been vocal in the New Mexico State Capitol, advocating for the establishment of a victim's rights office to provide better support and resources for families affected by violent crimes.
The lack of progress in Mares's case reflects a broader issue in Albuquerque, where numerous families await justice for their loved ones. The New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, comprising over 1,000 members, continues to expand and advocate for legislative changes to address gun violence and support victims' rights. Their efforts include proposing new bills and engaging with lawmakers to ensure that victims' families have a dedicated platform to voice their concerns and seek justice.
