Sheriff says homicide investigation ongoing; details withheld while warrants served

Sheriff Sanchez briefed the commission on an active homicide investigation during the May 19 meeting, saying the case has demanded the department's attention for the past eight days and that investigators were still serving search warrants.

"We learned about this incident last Tuesday," the sheriff said, describing a victim found at a location where he believed the person had been for several days. The sheriff said the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) was called in, investigators interviewed people of interest, and there had been a pursuit that crossed into Curry County and Farwell that led to at least one arrest.

Sanchez told commissioners additional arrests followed on active warrants and that search warrants were being executed "as of yesterday" and likely again today. He said the office has limited what it will release publicly while the investigation is ongoing and offered only to answer limited questions to avoid compromising the case.

The sheriff thanked area law enforcement partners and the public for logistical and moral support during the multiagency response.

What happens next: Sheriff Sanchez said investigators will continue executing warrants and working the case; he asked the board for patience as details remain restricted while the investigation proceeds.