In a chilling development from Albuquerque, New Mexico, law enforcement has taken into custody a local man on suspicion of murdering and partially dismembering his own mother. The suspect, 49-year-old Leroy Vallejos, was detained and booked into the Metro Detention Center on Wednesday.

Reports indicate that Vallejos allegedly admitted to the heinous act of strangling his 69-year-old mother, Ernestina Lucero, around three weeks ago. This startling revelation was brought to light by KRQE’s coverage of the unfolding case.

The investigation was triggered by a welfare check at Lucero’s home, situated near Rhode Island and Copper NE, after Vallejos reportedly told a home health care worker that he had not seen his mother for a week. This statement prompted concern and a subsequent call to the authorities.

Adding to the suspicion, Vallejos had also contacted the healthcare provider, seeking payment for his mother’s care services, even while claiming she was not present. His actions raised red flags for the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), who responded promptly.

Upon entering the residence with Vallejos’ permission, officers were told that Lucero had supposedly traveled to Mexico. However, this claim was cast into doubt when they discovered her prescription medication still in her bedroom, casting serious doubt on Vallejos’ narrative and leading to his arrest.

Law enforcement continued their search of the property, where they discovered garbage bags inside a large freezer. The Office of the Medical Investigator later confirmed that the contents of the bags were human remains belonging to a female.

Following the initial discovery, investigators conducted a secondary search, during which they found a saw with dried bloodstains concealed beneath the sink.

According to the APD, Vallejos gave a disturbing rationale for the crime, claiming that Lucero was conspiring with other individuals against him. He reportedly asserted that his mother belonged to a “group of people giving their lives to darkness.”

“Leroy indicated that his mother, along with numerous other family members of his, was part of a group of ‘people giving their lives to darkness,’” the affidavit stated.

“Leroy believed he had discovered that he had been ‘promised to Satan’ by his mother based upon statements he had heard from other ‘witches’ combined with his own speculation.”

Prior to the welfare check, a different family member had already reported Lucero missing. APD had consequently issued a missing persons bulletin on October 23 and formally opened an investigation.

Detectives found that Vallejos reportedly used his mother’s debit card to withdraw cash, and her vehicle had been sold sometime before Lucero was officially reported as missing.

Leroy would have surrendered, but he “loved his dogs and did not want to be separated from them,” the affidavit says.

Vallejos was arrested for an open count of murder in the first degree, preventative detention, temporary detention with evidence, and battery charges, according to the arrest report.

On November 4, Vallejos is scheduled for a detention hearing, according to People Magazine.

[Feature Photo via Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center]