Juneanne Fannell

Juneanne Fannell, an 82-year-old white woman, was a bedridden hospice patient living in her Rio Rancho, New Mexico, home. For several years, she had been under the care of Henry Cardana. On the morning of April 5, 2023, Cardana called 911, telling the dispatcher that Fannell was "uncontrollable" and needed to be removed from the house for her own safety. During the call, Fannell also spoke to the dispatcher, saying she felt she was in danger from Cardana. She reported that he had been drinking and that there were multiple guns in the home that he had used to threaten her. A social worker, who noted that an Adult Protective Services investigation at the home had been closed three weeks prior, also called for a welfare check.

When Rio Rancho police officers arrived before 8 a.m., their body cameras recorded the interaction. They spoke with Cardana, who confirmed he was a "firearms guy" and that his guns were "loaded" and "ready to go." One officer complimented him, saying, "I like folks that have guns." As the officers prepared to leave, Fannell pleaded with them, "Please don't. Please don't leave." Cardana then said to her, "You're fine until I kill you." Fannell immediately turned to the officers and said, "All right? He's threatened to do that." Cardana told the officers to "Get out of here now," and they left the residence. Rio Rancho Police Chief Stewart Steele later stated that the officers did not believe there was probable cause to suspect an imminent act of violence and that the comments seemed to be made "in jest."

Approximately four hours later, around 12:30 p.m., a neighbor called 911 after Cardana came to them for help, saying, "Call the police. I killed her." When officers returned to the home, they found Cardana covered in blood. Inside, they discovered Fannell in her bed, deceased from a gunshot wound to the head. A silver revolver was found under her leg. As he was being detained, Cardana blamed the police for the killing, telling them, "You caused this. You didn't stop me this morning. It's your fault."

Henry Cardana, then 86, was arrested and charged with murder. In March 2024, his attorney filed for a settlement, leading to a plea agreement. Cardana pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to a total of six years: two years to be served in prison, followed by two years of supervised probation and two years of parole.

In March 2025, Juneanne Fannell's estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Rio Rancho, the Rio Rancho Police Department, and the New Mexico Adult Protective Services division. The lawsuit alleges that the agencies ignored multiple warning signs and failed in their responsibility to intervene despite Fannell being in obvious and imminent danger. As of April 2025, that civil case was pending.