Husband of Nurse, Mom of Three Found Dead at Bottom of Staircase: Went for Beer After Discovery

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Authorities in Utah are investigating the death of Autumn Mercado, a 39-year-old nurse and mother of three, after her body was found at the bottom of a stairwell in her home. Her husband, Carlos Mercado, reportedly told police that he went out to buy beer after discovering her body.

The Discovery

The tragic event unfolded on January 13, 2024, when Autumn Mercado was found deceased at the bottom of the stairs in her West Jordan home, a suburb of Salt Lake City. According to West Jordan Police Sgt. Andrew Hercules, a concerned coworker of Mercado’s reached out to authorities after she missed work, prompting a welfare check by the police.

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When officers arrived at the scene, Carlos Mercado, 47, answered the door and allegedly claimed he was about to call the authorities himself. According to a local report by KSL News, police quickly began to suspect that the death might be suspicious.

Suspicious Circumstances

Carlos Mercado reportedly told officers that he had woken up that morning to find his wife at the bottom of the stairs. He thought she was asleep, but upon further investigation, he covered her with a blanket, left her there, and then left the house to buy more beer. Mercado ordered a ride-share service to take him to a nearby gas station, leaving their children unsupervised at home.

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Police noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Carlos’s breath and observed that he appeared unsteady on his feet. In the home, officers found multiple open containers of alcohol scattered in the living room and kitchen area.

Charges and Arrest

Carlos Mercado was arrested on charges of failure to report a death and child abandonment, according to Sgt. Hercules. However, as of now, he has not been charged in connection with his wife’s death, and he has been released from custody. Authorities are continuing their investigation with assistance from the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

Who Was Autumn Mercado?

Autumn Mercado was a dedicated nurse and mother who had worked at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she earned a reputation for her compassionate care and intellectual prowess. Her online obituary highlighted her commitment to the nursing profession, describing her work as a “mission.”

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Before her nursing career, Mercado was a competitive gymnast, and though she achieved success in many areas of her life, her obituary emphasized that her greatest accomplishments were her three children, who were at the center of her world.

At the time of her death, Autumn was pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. Her colleagues and patients remember her as someone who deeply impacted the lives of those around her.

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