Valencia-Dean detained pending trial, details of incident come out in motion

One dead after shooting; suspect in custody

RIO RANCHO — An adult female was shot and killed following a domestic violence incident Dec. 26.

RIO RANCHO — The woman who was arrested for murdering her wife the day after Christmas will remain detained before her trial.

Darlene Valencia-Dean, 45, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for first-degree murder, two counts of battery upon a peace officer and battery upon a health care worker Dec. 26.

As of Jan. 8, Valencia-Dean is remanded to custody until her trial or she makes a plea.

According to a motion filed by the state, Adelita Valencia-Dean was found on Animas Court at Willow Creek Road with at least one gunshot wound. She was taken to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The 911 caller told police they saw Valencia-Dean shoot her, which the state said was reason enough to keep her detained until trial. Additionally, a neighbor at the scene of the crime told officers that they heard a woman scream, "Help me!" before she was shot by another woman. Additionally, when Valencia-Dean talked to officers, she admitted that she remembered firing a shot gun.

According to court records, she also has a history of domestic violence and other crimes. In 2021, she was charged with aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon and shooting at a building in Santa Fe. Then in 2022 and 2023, she was charged with battery of household member related to incidents with Adelita.

Considering all this, the state expedited its request to have her detained pre-trial, saying Valencia-Dean is a danger to herself and others.

The judge will next set a trial date, which doubles as a deadline for the state to get all witnesses, evidence and facts of the case organized.