Gun used to shoot Mapleton woman looked to have been intentionally put in her hand, prosecutors say

PEORIA Ill. – More details have been released regarding a fatal shooting in a South Peoria home last week.

20-year-old Mary Halcomb of Mapleton was found dead by Peoria police Friday night in the area of Griswold and Latrobe.

18-year-old Nathaniel Archuleta was arrested in connection after being questioned by police.

25 News reporting prosecutors in the case said Halcomb was shot once in the jawline and the gun used was found with Halcomb’s hand wrapped around it.

Prosecutors also say a sticky note was found on a wall by the bed…saying…“I, Mary Elise Halcomb, promise to never break Nathaniel Archuleta’s heart. Otherwise, Nathaniel has the right to euthanize me.”

Archuleta has admitted to signing the sticky notes.

He has been denied pretrial release….and is scheduled to be arraigned on October 10.