����������ϼ�

A Metropolitan Detention Center inmate was found dead inside a halfway house on Saturday.

On Saturday afternoon, MDC received a call from the facility informing them that resident Andrew Witt, 45, had died. Medical first responders arrived and unsuccessfully attempted lifesaving measures, MDC spokesperson Candace Hopkins said in a Saturday night news release.

“An exact time of death is not currently known, but officials at the scene estimated Mr. Witt likely died between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.,” she said. “The death will be investigated by local law enforcement. Consistent with standard protocol, the incident is also under investigation by the MDC Office of Professional Standards.”

Witt is the fifth MDC inmate to die in 2026, she said in a phone interview.

The cause of death will be determined by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, Hopkins said. 

In September, Witt pleaded guilty to violating a restraining order following a domestic violence incident in June, according to court records. He was sentenced to MDC’s and was on track to finish in the summer, she said.

“Inmates can be placed on CCP while they are awaiting the resolution of their court case,” Hopkins said. “Judges also have the option to place an inmate on CCP to serve out their sentence, rather than being physically incarcerated at MDC. MDC corrections officers oversee CCP inmates to ensure they are adhering to their release or sentence guidelines.”

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.