Authorities in New Mexico began the extradition process Monday for a man they say fled to Mexico after killing his wife and four daughters.
Roswell police confirmed that Juan Villegas-Hernandez was arrested in or near Arizpe, a city south of Nogales, Mexico, on Sunday — a day after they say he shot five family members before fleeing in a red pickup.
Investigators have not yet released a possible motive in the case, and a police spokesman said local authorities had little — if any — contact with the suspect over the years.
Records showed Villegas-Hernandez, a Mexican national, had moved to the house where the victims were found nearly 10 years ago.
Todd Wildermuth, a Roswell police spokesman, said investigators had learned that Villegas-Hernandez had visited his family in Mexico frequently over the years.
Authorities had launched a search for him early Sunday after a relative discovered the bodies in the home the night before. Investigators believed hours may have passed before anyone knew they had been killed, police said.
By Sunday afternoon, Mexican authorities alerted Roswell police that they believed they had their suspect.
Wildermuth said police confirmed Monday that the man arrested in the Mexican state of Sonora was Villegas-Hernandez and began filling out paperwork to begin the extradition process.
"We are working to speak with the Mexican authorities to get them the proper paperwork needed," Wildermuth said. "The extradition can take some time."
Roswell police had not yet released the victims' names Monday, but said the children killed were 14, 11, 7 and 3.
The mother was 34, the same age as the suspect.
Associated Press reportage
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