Inmate Dies at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center

Albuquerque –

The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) has reported the passing of an inmate while they were in custody.

The individual has been identified Derrick Benavidez, an 18-year-old (born June 27, 2007). Benavidez was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) on March 15, 2026.

In a release from MDC, they stated at approximately 4:49 a.m. on April 27, a corrections officer discovered Benavidez in a medical emergency and promptly initiated a medical response. MDC personnel, in coordination with the UNM Hospital medical team, swiftly arrived and administered life-saving measures. Despite these efforts, Benavidez was pronounced deceased at 5:34 a.m. by the UNM Hospital staff.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) arrived at the facility to investigate. Consistent with standard protocol, the incident is also under investigation by the MDC Office of Professional Standards.

The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator will determine the official cause and manner of death.

Per court records, Benavidez had been booked into MDC on March 15th for charges of Breaking and entering, Concealing identity, and Use or possession of drug paraphernalia. At the time of his March 2025 arrest, he had active warrants from 2025 for Abandonment of a child (resulting in great bodily harm), Criminal Trespass (Unposted), Use or possession of drug paraphernalia, Abandonment of a Child (No Death or Great Bodily Harm), and Criminal Trespass.