Axe murderer kills missing woman in New Mexico forest, cops say

A woman reported missing was found beaten to death in a New Mexico forest and police say an axe was the murder weapon. Now, the victim's husband has been arrested in connection to the murder.

On Oct. 1, the New Mexico State Police in Silver City received a report of a missing person.

Erica Zamora had not been seen or heard from since Sept. 26, according to New Mexico State Police.

Agents learned that on the morning of Sept. 26, Erica Zamora and her husband, Armando Zamora, went to cut firewood in the forest.

Armando told police they returned to his house and he dropped Erica off at her house around 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, according to state police.

Investigators learned Armando was currently on probation for criminal sexual contact with a minor (under 13) and wears an ankle monitor.

Investigators obtained GPS coordinates for where Armando and Erica had been cutting wood, and when a sergeant searched the area, he found Erica Zamora’s body, accordin got police.

Agents interviewed Armando, and police say he admitted to beating Erica to death with an axe. Police have not said why Armando allegedly killed his wife.

Armando was arrested and charged with an open count of murder. He was booked into the Grant County Detention Center, police say.