Natisha Gallegos’ tearful family begged for help Tuesday from anyone who might know the location of her ex-husband.
The 30-year-old mother of three was killed in her Commerce City condominium Christmas Eve, and police said Albert Gallegos may be responsible.
“Hopefully Albert will see this and come forward and put this to an end,” Natisha Gallegos’ uncle, Larry Martinez, said during a press conference.
Gallegos was found dead at 11:48 a.m. Sunday. A window to her condominium was broken. Investigators will not release the cause of death until the investigation is finished, said Commerce City police Detective Mike Saunders said.
Albert Gallegos, 32, has relatives in the metro area who have cooperated with police. But, police said Gallegos might be communicating with someone while he is on the run.
“Our belief is that Albert is talking to someone who may be on the fence,” Saunders said. “Maybe when they see the human side of this, they will do the right thing.”
The couple had a 7-year-old daughter together. Natisha Gallegos was also a mother to two sons, ages 14 and 12, from a prior relationship.
The children were not with their mother when she was killed. They spent Christmas “confused” about her death, family members said.
The relatives speculated that there was a dispute between the couple over visitation of their daughter.
Maureen Martinez, a cousin of Natisha Gallegos, said her family accepted Albert Gallegos despite issues the couple had.
“Like any couple – they had their ups and downs,” Maureen Martinez said.
“We know you went through hard times with Natisha,” she said, directing her words to Albert Gallegos. “Your daughter is suffering and those boys are suffering.”
Zahra Omar, 20, works at Haraf Foods Market next door to Natisha Gallegos. Recently, she said, Albert Gallegos chased his ex-wife into the store with a knife.
One of Omar’s co-workers told her that Gallegos “‘was running after her (Natisha Gallegos) saying, ‘Where is she? Where is she?”‘
Omar said the co-worker allowed Natisha Gallegos to hide in a bathroom while he called 9-1-1.
Albert Gallegos has a history of domestic violence, including arrests for fighting in public, felony menacing, and child abuse, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation database.
Saunders said Natisha Gallegos had a restraining order against him.
A fund for Gallegos’ children has been established at the Denver Community Federal Credit Union, c/o of the Natisha Sisneros-Gallegos Memorial Fund, 1075 Acoma St., Denver 80204.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-954-1219 or at fcardona@denverpost.com.
