By Roger Lanse

Rudolfo Aguilar, 30, of Silver City, has been charged with an open count of murder regarding the death of Marcela Perez, 38, also of Silver City.

According to a Silver City Police Department news release, on Sunday, March 15, at about 11:18 a.m., officers responded to 705 Cielo Azul regarding an abandoned 911 call. When officers arrived they were let into the residence by Aguilar, where they found Perez, unresponsive, in a bathtub at the south end of the residence. SCPD documents state that the bathtub contained shallow water and that officers observed possible blood on the floor and walls, hair on the floor, and holes in the walls.

Officers began CPR on Perez, summoned Emergency Medical Services, and secured the residence, the release stated. Perez was transported to Gila Regional Medical Center where she later was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was performed the next day by Office of the Medical Investigator personnel, the release said. The preliminary autopsy report indicated Perez died of injuries received from blunt force trauma. SCPD documents state that Perez had several bruises and lacerations to her body, what appeared to be a stab wounds to her right leg and the back of her head, and bite marks on her left shoulder and left leg.

Aguilar was taken into custody by SCPD officers at about 6:46 p.m. on Monday, March 16, and transported to the Grant County Detention Center, according to the release. His bond has been set at $50,000.

The death appears to be the result of domestic violence, the release stated, and Perez and Aguilar were in a relationship at the time of her death.

The investigation is continuing.