Man Sentenced for Death of Taos Pueblo Artist

Santiago Martinez pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for killing his girlfriend DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A judge has sentenced Santiago Martinez to 10 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the death of his girlfriend, Taos Pueblo artist DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo. The death occurred in November 2021 when a late-night argument led Martinez to run over Suazo with her own car.

Why it matters

Suazo was an up-and-coming artist whose work had been exhibited at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, making her death a tragic loss for the local art community.

The details

According to the court, the incident occurred when Martinez and Suazo got into a late-night argument. During the altercation, Martinez ran over Suazo with her own car, leading to her death.

  • The incident occurred in November 2021.
  • Martinez was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on February 17, 2026.

The players

Santiago Martinez

The man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the death of his girlfriend, DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo.

DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo

A Taos Pueblo artist whose work had been exhibited at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe.

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What they’re saying

“The death of DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo is a tragic loss for the local art community. Her talent and potential will be deeply missed.”

— Unspecified

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater awareness and support for domestic violence issues, as well as the importance of preserving and celebrating the work of indigenous artists like DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo.