On April 6, 2017, 33-year-old Jason Douglas Bergstrom Cirio was found deceased in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Born on April 20, 1983, in Englewood, Colorado, Jason had been a resident of Artesia, New Mexico, since 1992 after relocating from Virginia. He graduated from Artesia High School in 2001 and was employed as a foreman crane operator for Mosaic Construction.
Jason was actively involved in his community, regularly attending Centre Avenue Baptist Church, participating in the Elks Lodge, and being a member of the United Steel Workers Union. He was survived by his mother, Linda Pastorello, stepfather Tony, sister Rachel Devereaux, brothers Dru and Casey Cirio, nieces Madison and Ashley Devereaux, girlfriend Heather Edwards, her daughter Chloe, and their son Hayden.
Following an investigation into Jason's death, on July 26, 2021, 55-year-old Eugenia Smith was arrested in connection with his murder. She was subsequently charged and faced trial in the Fifth Judicial District Court.
The arrest of Eugenia Smith marked a significant development in the case, bringing attention to the ongoing issue of gun violence in Eddy County, New Mexico. Local organizations, such as New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, have documented numerous incidents in the area, highlighting the need for community awareness and preventive measures.
