West Mesa murders
Also known as: West Mesa Bone Collector
- Active
- 2003–2004
- Region
- Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- State
- NM
- Kind
- Serial
- Status
- Unsolved
- Victims
- 11
On February 2, 2009, a woman walking her dog on Albuquerque's West Mesa found a bone near 118th Street SW. Police and forensic teams went on to recover the remains of eleven women and girls, and the unborn child of one of them, from shallow graves in the undeveloped lot. The victims, aged 15 to 32, had disappeared in 2003 and 2004. The killings remain unsolved; Albuquerque police say the investigation is active, and a reward of up to $100,000 is offered. A memorial park opened on the site in 2020.
Have information? This case is unsolved. Albuquerque Police Homicide Tip Line (505-768-2450) or Crime Stoppers (505-843-STOP)
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Victims
We remember the people whose lives were taken.
- Monica Diana Candelaria, 22 · May 15, 2003
- Victoria Ann Chavez, 26 · June 5, 2003
- Syllannia Terene Edwards, 15 · August 17, 2003
A teenager from Lawton, Oklahoma; identified in November 2009.
- Doreen Marquez, 24 · October 10, 2003
- Veronica Romero, 28 · February 14, 2004
- Jamie Caterina Barela, 15 · March 26, 2004
Disappeared with her cousin Evelyn Salazar; identified in January 2010.
- Evelyn Jesus Maria Salazar, 27 · March 26, 2004
Jamie Barela's cousin.
- Virginia Cloven, 24 · April 13, 2004
- Julie Cyndie Nieto, 24 · July 15, 2004
- Cinnamon Elks, 32 · August 20, 2004
- Michelle Gina Valdez, 22 · September 22, 2004
She was pregnant; the remains of her unborn child were found with her.
Timeline of locations
- February 2, 2009West Mesa burial site, near 118th Street SW (Recovery site, approximate area)
The remains were found in shallow graves in an undeveloped lot on the southwest mesa, near 118th Street and Dennis Chavez Boulevard.
- 2020Women's Memorial Park (Other, approximate area)
The city built a memorial park on the site, opened in 2020, with each woman's name etched into an oval path beside a bench and a tree chosen by her family. A plaza and shade structure were added in 2022.
Watch, listen, read
Listen
- The Mesa (2020, Tierna Unruh-Enos)
Sources
- West Mesa Homicide Investigation (Albuquerque Police Department)
- APD honors West Mesa victims on 15th anniversary (City of Albuquerque)
- West Mesa murders investigation remains active on 17th anniversary, APD says (KRQE)
- West Mesa murders (Wikipedia)
Each location also lists its own sources in the data file.