Ben Noverto Martinez
Ben Noverto Martinez, 88, had reported dementia and partial blindness, and his family had come to help care for him. His daughter said he had been singing songs with family members the day before he died. A judge ordered him moved from a state prison in Los Lunas to home confinement with electronic monitoring, and his family gathered at his release hearing to be reunited with him. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said he was found unresponsive at his home on Santa Fe's southwest side on Sunday, July 5, 2026, that no foul play was suspected, and that he appeared to have died of natural causes, while his daughter said she was thankful he could die in his own home rather than in prison.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said no foul play was suspected and that he appeared to have died of natural causes.
Reported by: Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office (outside investigators).