Four arrested after Albuquerque city councilor's brother-in-law found dead

Four people have been arrested after the brother-in-law of an Albuquerque city councilor was found dead a week after he was reported missing.

Albert Peña, 67, of Mountainair, was found dead by law enforcement Friday on a road in High Rolls, New Mexico. His death is being investigated as a homicide and four people have since been arrested "in connection with this incident," the Otero County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Peña was first reported missing to the Torrance County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 1, OCSO said. He was last seen at a local business in Willard, near Estancia. 

"At the beginning, we were very concerned about something serious occurring because my brother-in-law had a lot of dogs and he was never, ever not home to feed his dogs," said City Council President Klarissa Peña. "Obviously, we didn't know that he was the victim of a homicide, and you never want to think those thoughts, but later learning through all the investigations that it was a result of that has just been a nightmare."

Eight days after he was reported missing, OCSO was notified that Peña was possibly in High Rolls, roughly two hours away from Willard, the release states. Multiple law enforcement agencies conducted a search of the area and found Peña deceased.

"At this time, the case is being investigated as a homicide and four individuals have been arrested in connection with this incident," OCSO said in the release. The sheriff's office did not immediately identify the individuals and did not respond to calls for comment on Monday.

Klarissa Peña said it was a "blessing and a relief" to learn that four people had been arrested and said the situation makes her want to revisit how to better support smaller law enforcement agencies.

"I can't even tell you all the names of everyone who came together ... to get this thing solved," she said. "The end result wasn't what we wanted, but it's a blessing that all four suspected people have been arrested."

The town of Mountainair, in a news release, recounted Peña's enthusiasm and joy during a Christmas parade in December and said he brought smiles to all of the people who joined the parade that night.

"Many of us remember Albert fondly from this past Christmas parade just last month, where he proudly drove his classic truck adorned with lights," the town of Mountainair said. 

Peña leaves behind one son, multiple grandchildren, "countless" nieces and nephews and several pets, Klarissa Peña said. She described him as a "hardworking, humble guy" who was loved dearly by his family and had a big heart for animals.

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.