The mysterious disappearance of Michael Snyder from his home in North Albuquerque Acres, New Mexico has remained unsolved for many years. Survey Discovery’American Monster: Anything for You’ chronicles how an unlikely tip led to Mike’s body, ultimately leading to his wife’s arrest. However, prosecutors struggled to decide what to charge the killer with. So, let’s find out how it all happened then, shall we?
How did Mike Snyder die?
Michael James “Mike” Snyder was from Albuquerque, New Mexico and graduated from high school in 1976. After that, he went to automotive college, eventually becoming a master mechanic. The 43-year-old was described as a kind and generous man by those close to him. In his spare time, Mike loved to ski and use his jet boat. He had been married to Ellen Snyder since 1994, and together they had a daughter.
On January 11, 2002, Ellen called Mike’s family, saying he had suddenly left. At that time, he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Although they contacted him several times, they did not hear from Mike for the next few months. The affair didn’t pick up until about eight years later, in February 2010, when a tip brought them back to the Snyders’ house, which is now owned by someone else. In the backyard, they found Mike’s remains buried in a tarp. An autopsy of the remains confirmed gunshot wounds to the body.
Who Killed Mike Snyder?
Initially, Ellen had told everyone that Mike had escaped and was still alive. According to her, he was physically and psychologically abusive. She had also claimed that her husband was gay. The case hit a wall with no evidence until 2010 when a tipster provided information. He was a friend of Ellen’s son from a previous marriage. This person told police that Mike was buried in the backyard of the Snyders’ former home in North Albuquerque Acres under a concrete slab.
When Ellen’s son was questioned, he told police what had happened and Ellen was arrested on February 5, 2010. She later told authorities that their marriage had crumbled over time, taking a fatal twist in the early morning hours of January 11. 2002. At the time, Ellen threatened to tell Mike’s family that he was gay, which infuriated him. Fearing for her life, Ellen grabbed a semi-automatic firearm from the closet and fired eight bullets at her husband.
Ellen said, “I start shooting. I don’t know how to use a gun. I shot at the wall. I shot the TV. I shot on the ground. I shot him. He turned to run and I emptied the whole gun. She believed that Mike would kill her that night, leading her to take a drastic step. But when Ellen’s then 17-year-old son tried to call 911, she convinced him not to, leaving Mike’s body in the hallway covered in a duvet. Ellen went to work, and a few days later hired a backhoe to dig a hole in the garden and then enlisted her son’s help in burying Mike’s body.
Ellen also had a forgery history and racked up a lot of debt when she was married to Mike. Authorities also believed she forged her signature on an account to trick everyone into thinking her husband was still alive. However, the prosecution had a complex case on their hands since the statute of limitations for second-degree murder in New Mexico was six years, and it had been eight years since the murder. Although they could have charged Ellen with first degree murder, it would have been difficult to prove that it was a deliberate act. Therefore, they decided to offer him a deal.
Where is Ellen Snyder now?
In May 2011, then 52, Ellen pleaded guilty to manslaughter with enhancement of a firearm, tax evasion and tampering with evidence. The defense claimed Ellen was a battered wife in an abusive relationship and feared for her life during the shooting. Some of her former co-workers testified to seeing Ellen with a black eye and arguing with Mike before she disappeared.
In the end, Ellen was sentenced to 11 years behind bars, the maximum she could get. While Mike’s family thought there was enough evidence to prove premeditation, the prosecution ultimately disagreed. Ellen later said, “I don’t know if I feel guilty. With the situation that has happened, the thing I’m most sorry about is my son. I’m sorry this is happening, for his family, for my family. About eight years into her sentence in 2018, she was eligible for parole. Ellen appears to have since been released from prison and, from what we can tell, resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
