Joseph William Keleher, 59, was found fatally shot inside his Ponderosa, New Mexico, home on January 31, 2023. Authorities responded to a 911 call, discovered Keleher with a gunshot wound to the back, and noted a broken window at the residence. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

Keleher was a social studies teacher at Jemez Valley Schools, a playwright and author, and had worked in archaeology and education with the Ute Mountain Ute and Navajo Tribes. Neighbors described him as a caring teacher and friend who enjoyed hiking and woodworking. Investigators detained and then arrested 46-year-old neighbor David Anthony Salazar and charged him with open-count murder; Salazar reportedly admitted to the shooting.

The motive remains unclear. If anyone knew Joseph, his routines, or saw anything in Ponderosa around January 31, 2023, please share information with the authorities.