Mrs. Weaver told officers she was preparing dinner when her husband, Joseph Weaver, called her into the bedroom. When she arrived in the room, she saw Mr. Weaver standing with a pocketknife in his hand. After further inspection of the home, officers discovered a bloody pocketknife, blood on the bathroom wall, and a decapitated kitten wrapped in a towel.
From Bloomfield Police:
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
During the evening of January 10, 2021, officers with the Bloomfield Police Department were dispatched to the 1700 block of Mountain View regarding a welfare check on Joseph Weaver's household. Upon arrival, officers met with Mr. Weaver's distraught family regarding their decapitated 9-week-old gray kitten.
Mrs. Weaver told officers she was preparing dinner when her husband, Joseph Weaver, called her into the bedroom. When she arrived in the room, she saw Mr. Weaver standing with a pocketknife in his hand. The family's kitten was floating in the bathroom sink with the head severed from the body. After further inspection of the home, officers discovered a bloody pocketknife, blood on the bathroom wall, and a decapitated kitten wrapped in a towel.
Joseph Weaver, an off-duty Jicarilla Game and Fish Officer, was charged with Extreme Cruelty to Animals a 4th Degree Felony and booked at the San Juan County Detention Center.
The Sheriff's Office Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to conduct the investigation into the fatal crash. Two persons on bicycles (an adult male and an adult female) were struck by a 2006 Ford Ranger driven by Jaron Todecheeny of Aztec, NM. Both bicyclists died at the scene.
As Vice President of Diversity Affairs at FLC, Heather Shotton has played a pivotal role in advancing a culture of belonging and enhancing student access and success. In addition to her work in diversity affairs, she serves as Acting Dean of Student Engagement, overseeing more than 70 staff members supporting student well-being and success.
The initial call was received at 5:23 AM. The individual was identified from video surveillance. The male was contacted by Durango Police Department Patrol and is now in custody. He has been identified as Joe Brinkerhoff, a resident of the City of Durango. Due to a prior incident, Joe Brinkerhoff was trespassed from the property and his Rec Center privileges were suspended.
After a thorough and ongoing investigation by detectives and working with the district attorney's office, a thorough review of the case was conducted, and the decision to proceed with criminal charges was made. A warrant was issued to charge Heather Fernandez-Hoefer. She was taken into custody without incident on April 1, 2025.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.