Patricia Ignacio

Murderer

1known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: female
Country: USA
Location: Farmington, New Mexico, USA
Date of birth: 1987
Age at first offence: 21
Characteristics: drunken rage, domestic dispute, alcohol, altercation, disputes
Victim profile: Irene Armenta, 40
Method of murder: Beating with a piece of concrete
Date(s) of murder: November 25, 2008
Years active: 2008
Date of arrest: 4 days after
Status: Imprisoned
Entered an Alford plea to the second-degree murder charge; sentenced to 15 years in prison on April 30, 2009

Case Summary

Background

Patricia Ignacio was a 21-year-old woman of Nageezi accused of beating another woman to death in a fight over a boyfriend. Ignacio was charged with an open charge of murder in the death of 40-year-old Irene Armenta of Lake Valley.

The offence

Irene Armenta died after a fight in which Ignacio allegedly hit Armenta’s head repeatedly against a rock. The fight was linked to a dispute over a boyfriend. Police said Ignacio may have been intoxicated during the fight.

Investigation

Armenta’s body was found on Nov. 25 in an undeveloped area of Farmington. Police reported the body was partially buried by sand and broken cement.

After police identified the body on Friday, detectives linked Ignacio to the crime through a Crime Stoppers tip and information they received about an unrelated fight Ignacio was involved in earlier on the day of the killing.

Detectives were investigating which woman started the fatal fight. Toxicology tests were pending as to whether the victim may have been drunk at the time of the fight.

Farmington police Detective Sgt. Bruce Holiday told the paper: “We had information that Irene was upset because she thought Patricia was seeing Irene’s boyfriend, and that’s where the fight started,”

Ignacio was also charged with tampering with evidence.

Arrest

Ignacio was arrested Saturday and brought in for questioning following leads investigated over the holiday weekend. Authorities said she was arrested during a traffic stop.

Trial

Ignacio entered an Alford plea to the second-degree murder charge. An Alford plea meant a defendant did not admit guilt but acknowledged prosecutors might have enough evidence to convict.

Sentencing

Ignacio was sentenced to 15 years in prison on April 30, 2009. She faced a mandatory 15-year prison sentence.

Outcome

Ignacio pleaded to second-degree murder in the death of Irene Armenta.

Other details

Ignacio had no prior felony convictions in New Mexico.

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