Inmate's mom: My son would not kill himself

PORTALES - Myra Abeyta and Ray Medrano still have far more questions than answers about what happened to their son, Manuel Silva Jr., 23, who died last week in the Roosevelt County Detention Center.

Abeyta said she last spoke with her son Thursday, a day after authorities transported him from the Curry County Detention Center in advance of an August court date and one day before he was found unresponsive the following afternoon. She said he would "never, never, never" end his own life as authorities have tentatively concluded.

Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton said Saturday that the sheriff's office conducted an investigation of the incident and "initially ruled it to be an unassisted suicide." Hamilton told The News this week there were no additional updates on that investigation, and Sheriff Malin Parker said the investigation would not be complete until the Albuquerque Office of the Medical Investigator completes an autopsy.

Jail Administrator Justin Porter has a week to complete a report on the incident, said Hamilton, but he did not return calls this week from The News.

"I just want them to stop telling people that he killed himself. He's not that type of person," Abeyta said. "I always told him, 'Keep your head up high, you're coming home.'"

Silva was transported last week following an order approved by Judge Donna Mowrer, in advance of an August court date connected to his charges of first-degree murder and robbery for the April 7 shooting death of Adam Holts. Three others were charged in connection with the incident, including another man also charged with murder and also detained in the Portales jail.

"We are out to get justice for our son," Abeyta said of her and Silva's step-father Medrano. "I can't sleep at night. I hear him and it hurts me because this is not my son. Every night since the day that I got that call, my head feels like it's going to explode. ... One thing my son would never do is kill himself."