Woman killed in apparent murder-suicide at N.H. restaurant remembered as ‘beacon of light’

When a woman was killed in what appeared to be a murder-suicide, the mayor of the city in New HampshireIn a poignant recollection following the incident, Sunday noted that they were friends and respected her effort and cheerful attitude.

At her job at La Casita, a Mexican restaurant in Berlin, New Hampshire, Marisol Fuentes Huaracha, 25, was shot and died on Sunday morning. Authorities discovered 50-year-old Michael Gleason Jr.’s body in the restaurant’s restroom. They claim that there was a previous domestic relationship between the two.

Fuentes Huaracha died from numerous shotgun wounds, and her death was a homicide, according to an autopsy performed Monday. According to the office of New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, medical examiners also verified that Gleason’s cause of death was a shotgun wound to the head and that he committed suicide.

According to his office, Michael Gleason, Jr. shot and killed Sandra Marisol Fuentes Huaracha before shooting and killing himself, even though the investigation into the events leading up to this tragedy is still active and ongoing.

Numerous people are paying their respects to Fuentes Huaracha, including Robert Cone, the mayor of Berlin.

In a Facebook post including images of Fuentes Huaracha, Cone wrote, “I was fortunate enough to call her a friend.” What really impressed me about Marisol from the moment I met her was her constant focus on uniting the neighborhood. She has generously donated her heart and the restaurant on countless occasions to support different fundraising initiatives.

Cone explained how Fuentes Huaracha collaborated with a nearby soup kitchen and went above and beyond to assist in organizing a unique Dia de Los Muertos celebration last fall.

In remembrance of Fuentes Huaracha, La Casita shared a picture of candles, flowers, and pictures that locals had placed at the restaurant online.

While the La Casita family is in mourning, we are also touched by your compassion, respect, and togetherness toward her and all of us.The eatery posted on Facebook, “We will never forget this beautiful act of solidarity.”

Cone stated that the incident rocked his town and urged Berlin’s officials and citizens to push for greater awareness of domestic abuse.

According to the mayor, [Fuentes Huaracha] was a lighthouse, an inspiration, and a manifestation of God’s grace on earth. We shall sincerely miss her upbeat attitude and commitment to her career, friends, family, and our community.

Since 2022, Ross Cristantiello has been a general assignment news correspondent for Boston.com, covering a variety of topics including as local politics, crime, and the environment.