The Murder of Mary Moorhouse

Mary Ann’s Life in Ruidoso

Mary Ann eventually moved to Ruidoso, a small, picturesque town nestled in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of southern New Mexico. At the time of her death, she was working as a caretaker at the historic Coe Ranch, located in nearby Glencoe. Coe Ranch, a significant landmark in Lincoln County, was built in 1882 by Frank and Al Coe, early pioneers in the area. Frank Coe is even rumored to have ridden alongside the infamous Billy the Kid during the 1878 Lincoln County War.

Spanning over 10,000 acres, with 379,000 of those acres being deeded land, Coe Ranch is a sprawling estate with a rich history. The ranch's main hacienda and several other homes are surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, a stark contrast to the violent crime that would soon occur there.

Mary Ann worked alongside Danny Sanchez, who was also employed at the ranch. On April 1, 2017, a day that would forever change the lives of those who knew her, Mary Ann was brutally murdered at the age of 61.

The Night of the Murder

On the day of the murder, Danny Sanchez was out of town but had spoken to Mary Ann earlier in the day. Mary Ann mentioned that she suspected an intruder might be on the ranch and planned to investigate. However, after that conversation, Danny was unable to reach her again, despite multiple attempts.

Concerned for her safety, Danny contacted the local police at 9:19 PM, requesting a welfare check. Two Lincoln County deputies were dispatched to the ranch, where they would make a gruesome discovery.

As the deputies searched the property, they found a woman lying on the ground in front of one of the guest homes. She had been nearly decapitated, with indications that she had been struck with an ax at least four times. Nearby, they found a blood-covered ax and a cell phone. The woman was later identified as Mary Ann Moorhouse.

The Investigation and Arrest

The owner of the ranch, Tim Huseman, was interviewed by investigators. He was in Lubbock at the time and had also been concerned about Mary Ann's well-being after speaking with Danny Sanchez. Tim confirmed that Mary Ann should have been the only person on the property and suggested she might have been searching for the intruder under the mistaken belief that Tim was home.

As the police began to secure the scene, they received information that their potential suspect, Andrew Magill, might be at a local hospital. Magill had been hitchhiking when he was dropped off at the Ruidoso Downs Police Department and later taken to the hospital with a cut on his head and hands covered in dried blood. His behavior was erratic, and he claimed to be Jesus Christ, stating he had fought with Satan and needed to kill a man and decapitate a woman to save the world.

Magill's father found his abandoned car near Coe Ranch and drove it to the hospital where his son was being treated. While under guard at the hospital, Magill attempted to attack the officers. During the struggle, Deputy Jason Green's gun fell from its holster, and Magill managed to shoot Green in the arm. Fortunately, Green survived the shooting.

The Trial and Sentencing

It was soon revealed that Andrew Magill was the nephew of Joe Magill, an FBI agent who had previously worked for the Ruidoso Police Department. The case took an even darker turn when it was discovered that Andrew had been suffering from severe mental health issues, exacerbated by drug use.

Magill was quickly charged with the first-degree murder of Mary Ann Moorhouse. In New Mexico, a first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. However, Magill's defense sought to prove he was not competent to stand trial due to his mental state. Despite this, on November 15, 2017, it was determined that he was competent, and he initially pled not guilty by reason of insanity.

Nearly a year later, the charges against Magill were updated to include two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and possession of a firearm by a felon. On May 22, 2019, Magill changed his plea to guilty on the charges of second-degree murder, the assaults, and the gun charge. The plea deal also included a prior drug trafficking charge from 2010.

Under this deal, Magill was sentenced to 45 years in prison, with an additional 6 years of a suspended sentence, which means he could be re-imprisoned if he violates parole. Magill will be 72 years old when he is released from prison.

The Aftermath

The impact of this crime was felt far and wide. Deputy Jason Green had to give up his career as a police officer due to the injury he sustained during the struggle with Magill. Mary Ann's mother, who suffered from short-term memory loss, was repeatedly devastated as she continually forgot about her daughter's murder and had to be reminded by her family.

Magill's psychiatrist concluded that he was in a drug-induced psychosis at the time of the murder, a state that began two days before the crime. Despite this, the court determined that Magill was competent to stand trial and serve his sentence. He remains incarcerated at the Northeast New Mexico Detention Center, where he continues to serve his 45-year sentence.

The tragic death of Mary Ann Moorhouse serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of mental illness and the devastating impact it can have on innocent lives.