A New Mexico man has been charged with second-degree murder after authorities alleged he beat and strangled his girlfriend to death, then falsely claimed he had been away buying dog food when she died.
Melvin Becenti, 34, is facing charges of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his longtime girlfriend, 33-year-old Kelsie Todacheeny. According to San Juan County jail records, the case stems from an incident that occurred in Farmington in January 2024.
Police Responded to Early Morning Medical Call
According to investigators, officers with the Farmington Police Department responded to a residence in the 2400 block of East 20th Street at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2024, after receiving a medical emergency call.
When officers arrived, they found Todacheeny dead inside the home. Due to the condition of the scene and other circumstances, police immediately began treating the case as a suspicious death while launching a criminal investigation.
Boyfriend Claimed He Had Gone to Buy Dog Food
Authorities said Becenti, who had been in a long-term relationship with Todacheeny, was the person who contacted emergency services.
According to court documents cited by local reports, Becenti told investigators he had left the home about two hours earlier to purchase dog food from Walmart and returned to discover his girlfriend dead.
However, detectives quickly questioned his account. Officers informed him that the Walmart store would have been closed during the time he claimed to be shopping.
According to the arrest affidavit, Becenti reportedly responded, “I guess I didn’t,” after officers challenged his explanation.
Investigation Revealed Prior Domestic Violence Allegations
As investigators continued examining the case, they learned the couple had a documented history of domestic disputes that were allegedly fueled by alcohol.
Police interviewed witnesses and collected digital evidence, including videos provided by one of Todacheeny’s friends.
The recordings allegedly showed Todacheeny with a visible black eye while Becenti could be heard insulting her, calling her a “crackhead,” threatening to kill her, and stating, “You are going to die tonight.”
Additional videos recorded just two days before Todacheeny’s death reportedly showed her lying on a couch while a man believed to be Becenti continued verbally abusing her and manipulating her face while she appeared vulnerable.
Autopsy Determined Death Was a Homicide
Investigators documented multiple injuries on Todacheeny’s body during their initial examination.
According to the arrest affidavit, officers observed bruising beneath her left eye as well as swelling on the right side of her face.
A subsequent autopsy concluded that Todacheeny died from asphyxial injuries combined with blunt-force trauma. The medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide.
The findings contradicted any suggestion that her death resulted from natural causes or an accident.
Becenti Later Admitted the Couple Had Been Arguing
During the investigation, police said Becenti eventually acknowledged that he and Todacheeny had argued on the night of her death.
Detectives also gathered surveillance footage from a nearby Speedway convenience store that allegedly showed Becenti wearing a shirt with what appeared to be a dark stain on the left side of his chest. Investigators noted the stain could have been blood, although the affidavit did not publicly confirm forensic testing results.
Authorities considered the surveillance footage another piece of evidence supporting the ongoing investigation.
Murder and Evidence Tampering Charges Filed
Following months of investigation, prosecutors charged Becenti with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
The case remains pending in San Juan County, and Becenti is scheduled to appear in court on July 31 to face the charges.
As the criminal proceedings move forward, prosecutors are expected to rely on physical evidence, witness statements, cellphone videos, surveillance footage, and the medical examiner’s findings as part of their case against the defendant.
