Las Cruces mourning loss of former city councilor who committed suicide

Las Crucens are mourning the sudden loss of a former city councilor.

Police told ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom Miguel Silva, 55, committed suicide Sunday.

“He was just a human being who loved a lot of people,” said former city councilor Dolores Connor. “I’m very sad he couldn’t reach out a little bit more to the thousands of people who do love him.”

Silva, who served as a city councilor for eight years, was also a Dona Ana Community College professor.

He ran for Las Cruces mayor in November, but was defeated by incumbent Ken Miyagishima, who said Monday Silva played a big role in the revitalization of Downtown Las Cruces.

Miyagishima said he had known Silva for nearly 20 years and ordered the city flag be flown at half staff in his honor.

“It was very sad and shocking. He seemed so happy all the time,” said Jasper Brusuelas, Silva’s neighbor. “Suicide shouldn’t be taboo. It’s very real. A lot of people struggle with depression. He was a really great guy and should be glorified even in his death.”