Catherine Amanda Sanchez was 32 when she was fatally shot in the face on July 21, 2021, at her apartment at 6001 Topke Pl. N.E. in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. The shooting occurred while she sat on her couch and was witnessed by her children.

Police identified Catherine’s brother, Steven Archuleta Jr., as the suspect. On October 9, 2021, Archuleta Jr. called 911, told authorities he had killed his sister in July, said he wanted to commit suicide and reported being armed. He voluntarily turned himself in and was taken into custody at his home by officers from the Northeast Area Command. He was booked on an open count of murder and tampering with evidence and held without bond pending a pretrial detention hearing. The criminal complaint cites an incident involving Catherine’s daughter as the alleged motive, though details are not fully described.

In March 2022, Archuleta Jr. pleaded not guilty to the felony charges. The shooting left the family, including young children who witnessed the event, deeply affected and prompted community fundraising to help cover funeral expenses. Does anyone have information about Catherine, her family, or the events leading up to July 21, 2021?