The New Mexico Department of Public Safety took 42 days — far beyond the 15 days allowed by state statute — to release information this week about the mysterious April death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield.

Forensic pathologists reported May 15 that Merrifield's Easter morning death was due to the toxic effects of fentanyl and alcohol. Other questions remained unanswered, including whether the sheriff knowingly consumed fentanyl and where he may have obtained it.

In the days after Merrifield was found dead in his patrol car April 20, The New Mexican filed a public records request for related police reports and other information.

At first, the Department of Public Safety refused to release additional records. Next, it described the request as burdensome, buying the agen

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