West Mesa murders
Encyclopedia
The West Mesa Murders refer to the remains of 11 women found buried in 2009 in the desert on the West Mesa
of Albuquerque, New Mexico
. No suspects have been identified in the case and a serial killer
is believed to be responsible.
Police suspect that the bodies were all buried by the same person or persons, and may be the work of a serial killer
sometimes referred to as the West Mesa Bone Collector. Authorities also believe that the murders are closely linked to the annual state fair, which attracts large numbers of prostitutes to the area in the fall.
Syllania Edwards, a 15 year-old runaway from Oklahoma
, was the only African American
, and the only victim from out-of-state. Michelle Valdez was four months pregnant at the time of her death.
On December 9, 2010, Albuquerque police released six photos of seven unidentified women who may also be linked to West Mesa. Some of the women appear to be unconscious, and many share the same physical characteristics as the original 11 victims. The following day the police released an additional photograph of another woman; this woman was subsequently identified by family members, who reported that she had died of natural causes several years ago. On December 13, 2010, police reported that two of the women in the photos had been identified as alive, and could have valuable information if they can be located. Police would not say how or where they had obtained the photos.
In August 2010, police searched several properties in Joplin, Missouri
associated with a local photographer and businessman in connection with the West Mesa cases. They confiscated "tens of thousands" of photos from the man, who reportedly used to visit the state fair in Albuquerque.
In December 2010, convicted Colorado serial killer Scott Lee Kimball
stated that he was being investigated for the West Mesa murders; he denies killing the women.
No official suspects have ever been named in connection with the murders. A reward of up to $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
West Mesa
right|300px|thumb|View of downtown Albuquerque and the Manzano Mountains from the West MesaThe West Mesa is an elevated landmass lying west of the Rio Grande River stretching from south of Albuquerque northward to Bernalillo in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The eastern edge of the West Mesa is...
of Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. No suspects have been identified in the case and a serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
is believed to be responsible.
Discovery
On February 2, 2009, a woman walking a dog found a human bone on the West Mesa of Albuquerque, New Mexico metropolitan area, and reported it to police. As a result of the subsequent police investigation, authorities discovered the remains of 11 women and an unborn fetus buried in the area. All the women were young; most were Hispanic, and most were involved with drugs and prostitution.Police suspect that the bodies were all buried by the same person or persons, and may be the work of a serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
sometimes referred to as the West Mesa Bone Collector. Authorities also believe that the murders are closely linked to the annual state fair, which attracts large numbers of prostitutes to the area in the fall.
Victims
The remains discovered in 2009 were identified as those of the following women, all of whom disappeared between 2003 and 2005:- Jamie Barela, 15
- Monica Candelaria, 22
- Victoria Chavez, 26
- Virginia Cloven, 24
- Syllania Edwards, 15
- Cinnamon Elks, 32
- Doreen Marquez, 24
- Julie Nieto, 24
- Veronica Romero, 28
- Evelyn Salazar, 27
- Michelle Valdez, 22
Syllania Edwards, a 15 year-old runaway from Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, was the only African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, and the only victim from out-of-state. Michelle Valdez was four months pregnant at the time of her death.
On December 9, 2010, Albuquerque police released six photos of seven unidentified women who may also be linked to West Mesa. Some of the women appear to be unconscious, and many share the same physical characteristics as the original 11 victims. The following day the police released an additional photograph of another woman; this woman was subsequently identified by family members, who reported that she had died of natural causes several years ago. On December 13, 2010, police reported that two of the women in the photos had been identified as alive, and could have valuable information if they can be located. Police would not say how or where they had obtained the photos.
Suspects
Two men who initially attracted police attention in connection with the murders were Fred Reynolds and Lorenzo Montoya. Reynolds was a pimp who knew one of the missing women and reportedly had photos of missing prostitutes; he died of natural causes in January 2009. Lorenzo Montoya lived less than two miles from the burial site; in 2006 there were reportedly tire tracks leading from his trailer to the site. In December 2006, Montoya strangled a teenage prostitute at his trailer; he was shot to death by the prostitute's boyfriend.In August 2010, police searched several properties in Joplin, Missouri
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
associated with a local photographer and businessman in connection with the West Mesa cases. They confiscated "tens of thousands" of photos from the man, who reportedly used to visit the state fair in Albuquerque.
In December 2010, convicted Colorado serial killer Scott Lee Kimball
Scott Lee Kimball
Scott Lee Kimball is a convicted serial killer from Boulder County, Colorado, United States. He is serving a 70 year sentence after pleading guilty in 2009 to the murders of Kaysi McLeod, 19; Jennifer Marcum, 25; LeAnn Emry, 24; and his uncle Terry Kimball, 60. All four victims died between...
stated that he was being investigated for the West Mesa murders; he denies killing the women.
No official suspects have ever been named in connection with the murders. A reward of up to $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.