Randy W. Kowalchuk, a 21-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was a man known for his fun-loving and joking nature. Remembered as a devoted father and fiancé who never left his family’s side, he was cherished by all who knew him. Randy is survived by his mother, Lucy Kowalchuk; his fiancée, Cathy Apodaca; and his two young children, Adrian and Serenity. He was part of a large, close-knit family, including his sisters, Cassandra and Janice, his grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. His loved ones said he lived life to the fullest and would be missed for eternity.
The morning of Saturday, December 5, 2015, turned to tragedy inside Randy’s home on the 5600 block of Everitt Street NW in Albuquerque. His fiancée, Cathy, was asleep in the house when the sound of a single gunshot jolted her awake.
Rushing into the kitchen, she made a devastating discovery: Randy was on the floor, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
The Albuquerque Police Department responded to the scene and immediately began investigating the death as suspicious. Another person, Randy’s cousin Steve Aragon, was reportedly with him at the time of the shooting. According to Randy's mother, Aragon initially told others that Randy had died by suicide. Detectives identified Aragon as a person they wanted to speak with regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
A few days later, on December 9, 2015, police announced that they had located and interviewed Steve Aragon. After speaking with him, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman stated that they did not believe Aragon was involved in Randy’s death and that he was not considered a suspect in the case. The investigation, however, remained open as authorities continued to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. No arrests have been made, and the case remains an unsolved homicide.
In the days following his death, Randy’s family came together to mourn their profound loss. A visitation and Rosary were held on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at the Gabaldon Memorial Chapel. A final visitation and a Communion Service took place the next day at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Randy was laid to rest at San Jose de Armijo Cemetery, carried by his pallbearers and surrounded by family and friends who loved him dearly.
The case of Randy Kowalchuk’s death remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter for his family. They continue to seek justice and answers in the tragic loss of a young father and partner. As of the latest available information, the Albuquerque Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the homicide. The family is left with the memory of a fun, loving man whose life was cut short, and the lingering question of who was responsible for his death.
