Man indicted in connection with slaying of Clovis mother

Staff writer

A Curry County grand jury indicted a Clovis man Friday on charges connected to the slaying of a Clovis mother.

Matthew Jennings, 25, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the Nov. 9 stabbing death of 23-year-old Ariel Ulibarri.

Jennings was in the Curry County jail on a probation violation charge when investigators with the Major Crimes Unit were notified by the state forensics lab of a positive DNA confirmation of Jennings’ and Ulibarri’s blood on a knife. The victim’s family discovered the knife near the crime scene a day after Ulibarri’s slaying.

If convicted, Jennings could face a life sentence — 30 years before the possibility of parole — plus three years.

According to a release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s office:

• Ulibarri’s body was discovered by a citizen at the Goodwin Lake Walking Trails, where the citizen was alerted by Ulibarri’s young child.

• Jennings was arrested Dec. 2, after investigators said he confessed to the stabbing.

• He remains in jail without bond.

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The Clovis Police Department will conduct Driving While Under the Influence Saturation Patrols within the city Friday. The police will specifically target drunken and drug-impaired drivers.

It is also illegal to drive under the influence of prescription drugs that may impair ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, officers warn.

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The Clovis Police Department warned Clovis residents Thursday of holiday burglaries in vehicles and homes.

The department recommends securing high-value items while shopping and being alert to one’s surroundings in parking lots.

Audry Buzek covers the police beat. Contact her at:

[email protected]