Carlos Baca

Carlos Clyde Baca was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend who, at 29 years old, was building a life centered on his family and his work. Born on June 17, 1986, Carlos was a man with an entrepreneurial spirit. He and his wife, Frankie Williams Baca, owned their own business and poured their energy into creating a stable and loving home for their children. Those who knew him described him as quiet and shy at first, but once you got to know him, his funny and sarcastic side would emerge. He took immense pride in being the best father and husband he could be. Carlos was known for his generosity, always doing his best not only for his wife and children but for his extended family and friends as well.

The life Carlos was so carefully building was tragically cut short on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. On that evening, officers with the Albuquerque Police Department were called to a home in the 3400 block of Morningside Drive NE, near Comanche Road. Inside the house, they made a devastating discovery: Carlos and his older brother, 31-year-old Joe Dave Baca, were both dead. Neighbors in the area told reporters that the brothers had moved into the neighborhood about a year prior and mostly kept to themselves.

The Albuquerque Police Department immediately began investigating the deaths as a double homicide. In the initial days of the investigation, detectives did not publicly disclose how the brothers had died, leaving a veil of uncertainty over the horrific event. Two days after the discovery, police announced they were looking for a person of interest who might be connected to the case: Celestino Lopez. However, details on why he was being sought or his potential connection to the Baca brothers were not released to the public.

The investigation into the murders of Carlos and Joe Baca is handled by the Albuquerque Police Department. In the years since the brothers were killed, their family has been left with unanswered questions and the deep pain of their loss. Carlos left behind his wife, Frankie, and their five children: Faith, Arianna, Carlie, Aubry, and Carlos Clyde Baca Jr. At the time of his father's death, Carlos Jr. was just fifteen months old, and Frankie was pregnant with their youngest child. The loss also deeply affected Carlos's father, Carlos Baca Sr., and his sister, Yvonne Baca. He was preceded in death by his mother, Yvonne Kline.

The family has publicly grieved and advocated for justice. In 2019, Frankie Williams joined other families of murder victims at a "Stand for Justice" rally in Albuquerque. Pointing to her growing children, she shared the lasting impact of the crime. “She was ten, she was six, she was three. He was fifteen months and I was pregnant with him when all this happened,” she said, her voice filled with the heartbreak of the years spent without answers. “Now, look how big they are and we still don’t have justice for this. This is not OK.” Her words underscored the reality for many families whose loved ones were taken by violence in the city.

As of the latest available information, the double homicide of Carlos and Joe Baca remains unsolved. There have been no public announcements of arrests or charges filed in the case. The trail of information regarding the person of interest, Celestino Lopez, has gone cold, and the motive behind the brothers' killings remains a mystery. The case represents a profound and unresolved tragedy for a family that lost two beloved members in one violent, inexplicable act.

The Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers program urges anyone with information about the murders of Carlos and Joe Baca to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling (505) 843-STOP or by visiting the Crime Stoppers website. A reward of up to $2,500 is available for information that leads to an arrest in homicide cases.