When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 1996 Homicide Data

Females Murdered by Males in Single Victim/Single Offender Incidents

New Mexico

The homicide rate among females murdered by males in New Mexico was 1.50 per 100,000 in 1996

Ranked 24th highest in the United States

Age

One victim was less than 18 years old, and two victims (15 percent) were 65 years of age or older.

Race

Eleven female murder victims were white, one was black, and one was American Indian or Alaskan native.

Most Common Weapons

More than eight out of 10 female homicide victims (11 victims or 85 percent) were shot and killed with guns. More than eight out of 10 of these gun victims (nine victims or 82 percent) were killed with handguns. The remainder of cases involved other non-firearm weapons.

Victim/Offender Relationship

More than eight out of 10 female victims (11 victims or 85 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Only two female victims (15 percent) were killed by strangers. Of victims who knew their offenders, 82 percent (nine victims) were wives, common law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the nine female intimates murdered, 89 percent (8 victims) were killed with guns; 88 percent of these gun victims (seven victims) were shot and killed with handguns.

Circumstance

In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (10 cases), 80 percent (eight cases) were not related to the commission of another felony. Of these cases, 63 percent (five cases) involved arguments between the victim and offender.

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