The New Mexico Intimate Partner Violence Death Review Team (IPVDRT) has released its 2025 Annual Report, which analyzes fatal intimate partner violence (IPV) cases in the state. The report, coordinated by the New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center (NMSAC) at The University of New Mexico, examines 26 incidents from 2021 that resulted in 28 deaths involving 24 offenders.
According to the IPVDRT, about one-third of adults in New Mexico have experienced IPV at some point in their lives. The team is composed of volunteers from a range of backgrounds, including criminal and civil justice agencies, victim advocates, tribal and medical representatives, and state agencies. It operates as an independent body authorized by state law and funded by the New Mexico Crime Victims Reparations Commission.
The reviewed incidents occurred across 16 counties in New Mexico, with seven classified as rural areas. Firearms were involved in most fatalities: 23 decedents died from firearm-related injuries. Among those who used firearms during these incidents were twelve perpetrators who were prohibited by federal law from possessing them; four still used a firearm during the incident.
Most incidents took place in private residences, but nine occurred in public spaces such as driveways, parking lots, streets, and campgrounds. Children were present during eight of these events. Of the intimate partner pairs involved, nine couples were married or in long-term partnerships, fourteen were dating at the time of the incident, and three had previously dated.
A significant number—twenty out of twenty-six—of these couples had a history of violence within their relationship. Twelve had prior domestic violence calls for service. Victims ranged from ages 18 to 75 years old; eighty-one percent were female. Perpetrators ranged from ages 18 to 74 years old; seventy-seven percent were male.
The report includes recommendations aimed at improving prevention efforts through changes in legislation and policy, court practices, law enforcement procedures, and outreach by IPV service providers. These suggestions include increased funding for risk assessment training and improved access to formal services for victims.
“For the Statistical Analysis Center, it’s important, it’s one of the most meaningful projects that we do because of the gravity of these cases, but also the potential for change, and that’s huge,” said Kristine Denman, principal investigator and director of the New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center. “Intimate partner violence is very prevalent and a serious problem. It’s important to keep in mind that most IPV does not end in fatalities, but it’s also important to understand the worst possible outcome.”
The review project began in the mid-1990s within UNM’s Health Sciences Center Department of Emergency Medicine. Fatality cases are examined throughout each year once they are resolved through legal channels. The annual report is distributed to state legislators, the governor’s office, police officers, advocates for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence shelters.
“These are people who have full-time jobs and carve out time to sit on this review team and contribute to these activities. I think it speaks to the importance of the work and their dedication to it; their efforts should be acknowledged,” Denman said.
“The Team’s work is carried out in memory of victims and on behalf of their families and all those affected by intimate partner violence. By learning from their stories and applying effective prevention and intervention strategies,
their deaths will not have been in vain.”
Work has already begun on next year’s report covering fatalities from 2022.
The NMSAC operates within UNM’s Institute for Social Research.
