A Kirtland man has been arrested for reportedly shooting and killing his former wife.
Anthony Heard, 42, was charged with first-degree murder and negligent use of a deadly weapon in the Aug. 2 death of Varissa Heard.
Anthony called dispatch at 10:11 p.m., saying that “his firearm had discharged, striking Varissa,” at his home on County Road 6055 in Kirtland, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded five minutes later and rendered aid to the woman, who was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center, where she died.
Anthony reportedly told deputies that Varissa was his former wife, and court records show that the couple’s divorce was finalized Jan. 21, 2025.
Despite the divorce, the couple lived in the house together, and Anthony reportedly told deputies that they were having “relationship issues,” according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
Anthony told police he had been playing video games all day, when Varissa returned “home from being with friends.” He reportedly found his Kimber 1911 45 caliber pistol on a stand next to his bed and noticed rust on the handle, the affidavit said.
He allegedly told investigators that he went into Varissa’s room to show her the firearm, when “the gun went off,” striking her in the chest, the affidavit said.
Anthony told police he could not find an “exit wound” on Varissa, so “he took the pistol back to his office and placed it into the holster” and then called dispatch, according to the affidavit.
However, the investigation contradicted Anthony’s story, according to sheriff’s detective Cody Price, who wrote in the affidavit that a “spent 45 caliber casing” was found in the hallway, and there was a “defect in the drywall” that appeared to be caused by a bullet.
The “slug” was found in a bathroom cabinet, and the trajectory did not match with Anthony’s statement, Price wrote in the affidavit.
A search warrant also led detectives to discover text messages on Varissa’s phone, stating that she had been on a date. Anthony allegedly came into her room “fists clenched,” while he was “shaking” and yelling at her about where the man parked his truck, the affidavit said.
When questioned, Anthony reportedly told detectives, he was “upset” but continued to claim that “the gun just went off,” the affidavit said.
Anthony also admitted to drinking and said he was “clear-minded probably 50/50 a little upset,” but was focused on showing Varissa the rusted gun, the affidavit said.
When detective Price found the gun, he described it as having “only minimal surface discoloration” from “minimal rust,” the affidavit said.
Further questioning led Anthony to allegedly say that he was arguing with Varissa, and he planned to shoot himself.
“I made a horrible mistake. It was an accident.” Anthony reportedly told detectives. “It was an accident. It was not intentional to shoot her. I did have the gun in my hand, yes. I did pull the trigger, but it wasn't intentional.”
Anthony was booked Aug. 3 into the San Juan County Detention Center and the San Juan County District Attorney’s Office will file a motion for a pretrial detention hold to keep him incarcerated until his trial, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Decker.
dmayeux@tricityrecordnm.com
