Tragic Case: New Mexico Man, Jose Juan Mendoza-Espinoza, Arrested in Killing of Transgender Woman, Sherlyn Marjorie,

 

A man from New Mexico was arrested in late September for the killing of a transgender woman named Sherlyn Marjorie, aged 35. This incident is not currently being treated as a hate crime by law enforcement because it is believed that the two were previously engaged in a sexual relationship.

Jose Juan Mendoza-Espinoza, 29, was taken into custody late one evening, and he is facing charges of open murder and tampering with evidence. An "open murder" charge indicates that authorities have not yet determined whether the murder should be classified as first or second-degree, allowing for further investigation to make that distinction.

Marjorie was reported missing on September 17 after finishing a performance in Rio Rancho. Her last known location was at a truck stop in Albuquerque on September 24, where friends discovered her car. A search party organized by loved ones located her body near a ditch early in the morning on September 26, leading authorities to treat the case as a homicide.

Through surveillance footage analysis and search warrants, investigators identified Mendoza-Espinoza as the primary suspect. During questioning, he admitted to having a secret sexual relationship with Marjorie and claimed to have been paying her for her silence about their involvement. Allegedly, she demanded an additional $5,000 and threatened to reveal their relationship to his wife if he did not comply. He confessed to beating her to death, binding her body, and disposing of it in a drainage tunnel.

Evidence found at Mendoza-Espinoza's residence supported his confession and aligned with the established timeline of events. Despite the tragic nature of the crime, law enforcement currently has no evidence to suggest that it was a hate crime directed at the transgender community.

Law&Crime reached out to the sheriff's office and Albuquerque police for additional information but received no response at the time of publication. Mendoza-Espinoza's court case has not been scheduled in the New Mexico court system as of now.

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