New Details Emerge in Suspicious Death Investigation at La Casita in Berlin, NH
Officials with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, New Hampshire State Police, and the Berlin Police Department have released new information regarding a tragic and deeply disturbing incident that unfolded in Berlin, New Hampshire, on the morning of Sunday, July 6, 2025. Authorities are currently investigating the suspicious deaths of two adults found inside La Casita, a local family restaurant on Hillside Avenue.
According to a joint statement issued by Attorney General John M. Formella, State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall, and Berlin Police Chief Jeff Lemoine, officers responded to a 911 call around 9:45 a.m. reporting gunshots heard at La Casita. Upon entering the premises, Berlin Police discovered the lifeless body of Sandra Marisol Fuentes Huaracha, age 25, behind the bar. Ms. Fuentes Huaracha appeared to have died from multiple gunshot wounds. A short time later, police located Michael Gleason Jr., age 50, in one of the restaurant’s restrooms, deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Though the investigation remains in its early stages, authorities have confirmed that Ms. Fuentes Huaracha and Mr. Gleason had previously been involved in a domestic relationship, which is now a central focus of the ongoing inquiry. Law enforcement officials have stated that, based on preliminary findings, the incident is being investigated as a likely murder-suicide, though autopsies and further forensic analysis are pending.
Autopsies for both individuals have been scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and will be conducted by the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The results will be used to confirm the official causes and manners of death, and to further clarify the timeline and circumstances surrounding this tragedy.
No Threat to Public
Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time. The Berlin Police Department has assured residents that the situation appears to be contained and isolated to the two individuals involved.
Despite this reassurance, the event has shaken the local community and reignited conversations surrounding domestic violence and mental health. Local leaders, advocates, and community members have already begun organizing support services and grief counseling for those affected by the loss, especially for the colleagues and patrons of La Casita who knew and loved Ms. Fuentes Huaracha.
Remembering Marisol Fuentes Huaracha
Friends, coworkers, and community members describe Marisol Fuentes Huaracha as a kind-hearted and hardworking young woman who played an integral role in the daily life of La Casita. She was known for her dedication, her warmth, and her quiet resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
Her death is being mourned not just as a devastating personal tragedy but as a deep communal loss. Many in Berlin are remembering Marisol as a gentle soul with a bright future ahead of her—one that was tragically cut short.
A Troubling History
While official documents have not yet disclosed the full extent of the history between Ms. Fuentes Huaracha and Mr. Gleason, early reports confirm that domestic issues had previously been documented between them. This incident serves as yet another painful reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of intimate partner violence, and the urgent need for improved prevention, intervention, and support systems.
The Road Ahead
As the investigation proceeds, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and local authorities are urging the public to allow space for due process, while continuing to offer support to those affected by this tragedy. Additional updates will be provided following the completion of autopsies and the full review of evidence from the scene.
In the meantime, a growing memorial of flowers and candles now lines the entrance to La Casita, a once-bustling family restaurant now marked by heartbreak. Berlin grieves not only the loss of a young life but the scars left behind by a tragedy that never should have happened.