Funeral Monday for Four Hills victims

Mother, wounded in attack, likely to attend, APD says

A public funeral for the three children slain by their mother’s ex-boyfriend in a murder-suicide in Four Hills this month will be held Monday, according to a statement from their parents.

Joshua and Cheryl Mascarenas thanked everyone who has supported and comforted their family and said their children will be remembered as generous, loving and kind.

“The time has come for us to lay our children to rest with the utmost dignity and respect,” according to the statement. “We will celebrate their lives, and we will treasure their memories for the rest of ours.”

Elijah Mascarenas, 5, Olivia Mascarenas, 6, and Ian Mascarenas, 9, were shot and killed, and Cheryl Mascarenas, 36, was critically injured on Dec. 5. Police say Cheryl Mascarenas’ ex-boyfriend, George Daniel Wechsler, 45, lay in wait for the family to return home and then shot them all before shooting himself. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

It is unclear whether Cheryl Mascarenas has been released from the hospital, but a spokeswoman for the Albuquerque Police Department said she believes the mother will be attending the funeral.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Believers Center of Albuquerque, 320 Waterfall SE. The interment will be at Fairview Memorial Park at 700 Yale SE.