New Mexico Bodycam: Pregnant Woman Discovers Homicide Victim in Backyard Shed

Discovery of the Crime Scene

• 🚨 Police responded to a home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at 3:00 AM after a woman discovered a man dead in her backyard shed.
• 🎯 Officers found 34-year-old Steven Sanchez deceased from an apparent gunshot wound to the head, with no murder weapon present.

Identifying the Suspect

• 💡 The 911 caller identified the shooter as "Izzy," later identified as 25-year-old Isaiah Joseph Rea.
• 🔍 Witnesses described Izzy as tall with long hair, distinctive white lightning bolt tattoos on his face, and an "X" tattoo on the side of his face.
• 🗣️ Izzy reportedly told the caller, "I thought he wanted me to do it," before fleeing the scene.

Suspect's Behavior and Background

• 🧠 One witness described Izzy as "disturbed," "delusional," and having "no grip on reality," believing people were shape-shifters.
• 🔫 It was revealed that Izzy had purchased a gun about a week prior, shortly after being released from jail.
• ⚔️ There were also reports of an earlier argument involving Izzy and another individual where both allegedly had guns, which were later taken away and then returned.

Manhunt and Apprehension

• 🚓 A days-long manhunt for Isaiah Joseph Rea ensued, culminating in a high-speed chase.
• 💥 Rea allegedly reached speeds over 80 mph in a 30 mph zone before being stopped by police using a PIT maneuver.
• ⛓️ During the arrest, Rea denied shooting Steven Sanchez, claiming he knew who did but stating he didn't do it.

Legal Proceedings and Outcome

• ⚖️ At the police station, it was discovered that Rea had seven felony warrants for his arrest.
• 📜 Despite his denials, a jury ultimately found Isaiah Joseph Rea guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement.
• ⏳ He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.