A New Mexico police cadet has been killed by her husband in a murder-suicide at their home – leaving their eight-year-old son orphaned on Thanksgiving.
Taylor Hagan, 32, was in her apartment at the Olympus Encantada Apartments in northeast Albuquerque Tuesday afternoon.
At around 4 p.m., investigators believe her husband Briton Hagan, 41, shot her dead. Briton is then believed to have turned the gun on himself.
Taylor was still in the academy of the Albuquerque Police Department when she was murdered.
Taylor Hagan (pictured left), a New Mexico police cadet was killed by her husband in an apparent murder-suicide at their home, leaving their eight-year-old son orphaned on Thanksgiving
Hagan still in the academy of the Albuquerque Police Department when she was murdered
Both were declared dead when officials arrived on the scene. A neighbor tipped off the police after hearing of the shooting, according to KRQE.
Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina remembered Hagan in a statement Wednesday
‘She chose to serve the community as a police officer and keep the community safe,’ he said.
‘My sincere condolences go out to her family and loved ones on behalf of the entire APD family.’
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller called her death a tragic loss and urged people to look out for warning signs of domestic violence and abuse.
‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of APD cadet Taylor Hagan and are keeping her loved ones and fellow cadets in our prayers,’ Keller said in a statement.
‘Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life and incidents can unfortunately increase during the holidays, so I urge everyone in our community to be on the lookout for warning signs of abuse.’
Taylor Hagan, 32, was in her apartment at the Olympus Encantada Apartments in northeast Albuquerque Tuesday afternoon when she was killed
Hagan was in her apartment at the Olympus Encantada Apartments in northeast Albuquerque Tuesday afternoon when her husband murdered her
Maria Cahuenas, Director of New Mexico’s Domestic Violence Resource Center, said the tragedy is a reminder of what can be done during this time of year to prevent such incidents.
‘During the holidays, they increase in numbers. We have advocates working during the holidays, that can respond to the scene of domestic violence and begin to provide services to the victim right away,’ Cahuenas told KOAT.
‘We understand how difficult it is to talk about it, to even process it. We will meet the victims where they are. They don’t need to disclose anything that’s happening. They can contact us to see what’s available in the community.’