Interestingly, it was not Carlos who contacted the authorities regarding his wife?s demise, despite being the first to discover her. Instead, police were alerted by a concerned coworker who noticed that Autumn Mercado, 39, failed to show up for work. This prompted a welfare check on January 13, which ultimately revealed the heartbreaking truth about her tragic fate.

Upon their arrival, police encountered Carlos Mercado, 47, who reportedly stated that he was about to call them. He explained that he had woken up to find his wife at the bottom of the stairs and initially assumed she was just asleep, as detailed in an arrest affidavit obtained by KSTU. This explanation has led to a myriad of questions regarding the actual events that transpired in the home.

Carlos further informed police that he attempted to rouse Autumn from her apparent slumber. However, when she did not respond, he covered her with a blanket, leaving her in the same position at the bottom of the stairs. This behavior is raising eyebrows as it seems highly unusual for a spouse to act in such a manner when discovering a loved one in a precarious state.

Instead of seeking immediate help, Carlos ordered a ride-share vehicle and left the house to purchase more beer at a gas station. Alarmingly, he left their two young children, aged 4 and 1, at home alone with their mother?s lifeless body. This decision has sparked outrage and concern among family members and the community alike, who are questioning his judgment and priorities in such a critical situation.

According to reports from NewsNation, Carlos expressed his belief to the police that Autumn had fallen down the stairs due to experiencing vertigo after the couple had been drinking heavily into the early hours of the morning. This claim about her condition raises further questions about the couple’s lifestyle and the circumstances leading up to her tragic death.

According to West Jordan Police Sgt. Andrew Hercules, preliminary investigations revealed that ?the death appeared suspicious to responding officers.? This statement hints at the possibility of foul play and suggests that the investigation is far from over.

Witnesses reported that officers could detect the smell of alcohol on Carlos? breath, and he appeared to struggle with maintaining balance while speaking to them. The affidavit also noted that numerous open containers of alcohol were visible throughout the front room and kitchen area, painting a troubling picture of the environment in which the tragedy occurred.

Fox 13 has reported that the couple’s two young children were found in the home, unclothed and standing near their mother?s corpse. This shocking discovery has raised serious concerns regarding their safety and the conditions they were living in.

As a result of the investigation, Carlos was arrested and booked into Salt Lake County Jail. He faces two felony counts of child abandonment and a misdemeanor count of failure to report a dead body. Notably, he has yet to be charged in connection with his wife?s death, which leaves many questions unanswered and the investigation ongoing.

A search of Salt Lake County booking records indicates that Carlos is no longer in custody. Authorities are continuing their investigation into Autumn’s death in collaboration with the Medical Examiner?s Office to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

In a recent interview with NewsNation, Summer Christiansen-Ward expressed her disbelief in Carlos? explanation for Autumn’s death, citing multiple reasons for her skepticism. Her emotional turmoil is evident as she grapples with the shocking events that have unfolded.

?If you love someone, how do you not pick them up? How do you not put them on a couch? How do you not cuddle them and put them back in bed?? she questioned during her appearance on Banfield. ?I can?t believe it.? Her words resonate with the pain and confusion that comes with such a traumatic loss.

Summer was horrified to learn that Carlos had left their young children in the house alone with their mother?s body. She expressed her deep distress, stating that just the thought of the children discovering their mother in such a state made her feel physically ill.

Christiansen-Ward also revealed that since her sister?s death, other individuals have come forward with stories that the family was previously unaware of regarding Autumn’s struggles within her marriage to Carlos. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the situation and raises concerns about the dynamics of their relationship.

Summer shared her belief that Autumn was trying to shield her family from the harsh realities of her life, often fabricating stories about how she sustained her injuries, such as claiming she fell off a motorcycle or got hurt in an accident. This pattern of behavior indicates a deeper issue that may have been present in her relationship.

?He didn?t protect her at all. We had no idea it was to this extent. I mean, she was slashed with a knife. She had her teeth knocked out,? Christiansen-Ward lamented. ?We didn?t know.? Her revelations about the severity of Autumn’s situation are shocking and underscore the complexities of domestic relationships.

When asked if anyone had ever informed the family that Carlos had previously pushed Autumn down the stairs, Christiansen-Ward replied affirmatively, stating, ?Yes.? She elaborated, ?You start to hear certain things, and then you begin to believe.? This admission raises alarms about the nature of Carlos? behavior towards Autumn.

Carlos has a documented history of domestic violence incidents involving local law enforcement. In 2019, he was convicted of third-degree felony aggravated assault against Autumn, who was his fiancée at that time. These past actions cast a long shadow over the current investigation and the family’s plight.

In subsequent years, specifically in 2021 and again in 2022, Carlos faced charges of assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, with Autumn identified as the victim. While the 2021 case was dismissed for lack of victim contact, he was found guilty in 2022, which raises serious concerns about his behavior and its possible implications for his family.

Autumn was a dedicated registered nurse with dreams of becoming a nurse practitioner, as highlighted in her obituary. ?I remember when she was a child, she wished to go feed the homeless or help people who didn?t have a place to live,? said Christiansen-Ward. ?She was always trying to help others.? Her commitment to caring for others is an aspect of her character that is profoundly missed.

Summer also emphasized that her sister loved being a mother, ensuring her children were safe and away from the home where she tragically passed away. To assist with unexpected funeral costs and to provide for her children, she initiated a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to help them rebuild their lives after this devastating loss.

?We want to provide them, not just a new life, but something better,? she explained with heartfelt sincerity. ?And we want to ensure they remember who their mother was. It?s not fair; she left too soon. But she was an amazing person.? Her words reflect the profound love and grief felt by the family in light of this tragedy.

?We are a family,? she added. ?We love hard, and we are living a nightmare.? This poignant reflection highlights the emotional toll that such a sudden loss can take on a family.