Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, issued a statement on Friday about the death of singer Ernestine Romero.

“Ernestine Romero inspired and blessed us with her music and passion all of her life,” he said. “I am heartbroken over the loss of such a vibrant soul. Her death is a tragedy for New Mexico.”

RELATED: Singer Ernestine Romero, husband found dead in downtown Santa Fe

Officials ruled the shooting as a murder-suicide. Detectives learned Saucedo shot Romero twice in the upper chest area with a semi-automatic pistol. Saucedo suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

“Domestic and gun violence are plagues on our communities – and we must take action to prevent these senseless deaths,” Luján said. “Today, I’m sending my deepest sympathies to Ernestine’s family.”

Romero recently celebrated her 20th year in the music industry with the release of the album “Mi Tesoro” in March. It was the 10th album released from the award-winning singer. She was a multiple New Mexico Hispano Music Awards winner and a nominee for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards in 2016.

Luján ended the statement saying, “Ernestine, we will miss you. Vaya con Dios.”

Like Tejano Nation on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our playlists on Spotify and Soundcloud.

---