Ellen Snyder claims ex was abusive

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – As soon as Ellen Snyder was charged with the murder of her former husband Friday, allegations surfaced in the arrest warrant that her husband was abusive.

Police said Michael Sheffield, Ellen's son, told a friend that on the morning of the murder he thought his mother and Michael had been in a domestic dispute because she was disheveled and bloody.

Sheffield also told a friend that Michael Snyder, who had multiple sclerosis, used to beat him.

Police said when Ellen Snyder borrowed the gun she used to kill her husband—she told the friend who loaned her the gun that she was afraid of her husband.

News 13 looked for any reports of abuse by either Ellen Snyder or Michael Sheffield.

Albuquerque police said there were never called to the Snyder home in the Northeast Heights, and that neither the mother nor son had ever filed a police report about abuse at the hands of Michael Snyder.

Ellen Snyder divorced Michael just three months after he went missing in 2002. Nowhere in the divorce paperwork did she ever mention abuse.

She said Michael Snyder abandoned her and their 6-year-old daughter.

The man who loaned Ellen the gun said he can't comment at this time about any allegations of abuse.

Michael Snyder obviously cannot speak for himself. His family is still trying to come to grips with what happened, and for now they're not talking to anyone.

A memorial for Michael Snyder will be held on Saturday Feb. 27 at 1:00 p.m. at French Mortuary on Lomas.