Man Beats Elderly Mom to Death, BCSO Charges Him with Murder

Albuquerque –

James Lucero, 37, of Albuquerque, has been charged with murder in connection to the death of his mother, Shirley Lovato.

According to a criminal complaint, the incident began on July 1, 2025, when Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies and rescue personnel responded to a call at 2210 Centro Familiar Blvd. SW regarding a woman in need of CPR. Upon arrival, emergency crews attempted life-saving measures on Shirley Lovato and noted visible bruising on her face and body. She was transported to UNM Hospital in critical condition.

Deputies later interviewed James Lucero’s girlfriend, who told investigators she had found Shirley Lovato lying unresponsive in the bathroom with the shower running, blood coming from her mouth, and bruises covering her body. In a follow-up interview, the girlfriend said James Lucero had emailed her during the incident, writing:

“I broke her phone and her car. I need help. Please haul ass over here to my mom’s. I need help ASAP.”

The complaint further states that James Lucero took his girlfriend’s phone during the incident to prevent her from calling 911. He later returned the phone and fled the scene approximately 10 minutes before deputies arrived. Before leaving, he allegedly broke his mother’s phone, vandalized her car, and attempted to clean up the scene.

On July 6, 2025, Shirley Lovato died from her injuries. Medical staff determined her injuries were not consistent with a fall, leading investigators to suspect foul play. On July 7, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) indicated that Shirley Lucero had blunt trauma and other injuries.

James Lucero has been charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence. The case remains under investigation by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.