Grant County
On March 17, 2017, at approximately 4:35 p.m., New Mexico State Police dispatch received a call from US Border Patrol agents regarding a deceased female in a vehicle on Highway 9 near Hachita, New Mexico. The agents discovered the vehicle while patrolling the highway. A deceased female was in the driver's seat of a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica with a leather belt tied around her neck.

New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents responded to the scene. The deceased female was identified as Connie Lopez (57) of Lake Placid, Florida. Isaias Lovato Rodriguez (61), who was located at the scene, was taken into custody. He and Ms. Lopez had been traveling together from Florida.

Mr. Rodriguez was booked into the Grant County Detention Center on an open count of murder.

The homicide is currently under investigation.

No additional details are available at this time.