Las Cruces police arrest woman for knife murder

Las Cruces police have arrested a woman who investigators believe was involved in the stabbing death of a 30-year-old Hispanic man.

The LCPD identified 28-year-old Selena Carrillo as involved in the stabbing death of Michael Mata on August 29, 2024.

On August 29, 2024, at approximately 11:45 a.m., according to police, officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Buchanan for a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers discovered Mata suffering from multiple injuries from a stabbing. Mata was transported to Mountain View Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Carrillo was arrested and charged with murder and booked into the Doña Ana Detention Center. She was also charged with assault on a household member.

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According to the documents, Mata's sister was also injured in the incident. According to the documents, Carrillo and Mata's sister were in a relationship. The two had argued earlier in the day, and Carrillo allegedly hit her. Carrillo left the house but returned, according to the documents. Mata's sister hid in the bedroom bathroom. Mata opened the bedroom door and his sister heard Mata struggling with Carrillo. Mata's sister told police she begged her brother not to let Carrillo in. When Mata's sister left the bathroom, she saw him lying on the floor. Next to him was a folding knife with blood on the open blade, according to court documents.

Mata's sister was taken to another hospital for treatment of her injuries.

A neighbor told police that Carrillo fled the home on foot, court records show. Police arrested her on foot. She has visible injuries on her hands and her clothes and shoes were covered in blood, records show.

According to court documents, Carrillo told police she had been involved in a drinking binge with Mata's sister for several days and admitted to an argument.

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Carrillo told investigators that “she did something very bad and deserves to rot in prison forever, but she declined to give details,” court documents show.

Carrillo was charged with assault on a household member in June 2024, court records show. Carrillo was involved in several incidents of domestic violence with Mata's sister at the home, court records show.

As of Tuesday, Carrillo was still in jail and no further hearings had been scheduled.

Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or [email protected]. Follow him on X @jjpgroves.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Las Cruces man stabbed to death