The West Mesa Killer AKA the West Mesa Bone Collector committed the West Mesa Murders, the killings of eleven women whose remains were found buried in 2009 in the desert on the West Mesa of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Several suspects have been named, but none were arrested or charged. While the killings are believed to be the work of a serial killer, the involvement of a sex trafficking ring has also been suspected.
Background[]
Between 2001 and 2005, eleven women were buried by an unknown assailant dubbed the "Bone Collector" in an arroyo bank on Albuquerque's West Mesa, in an undeveloped area within city limits. Satellite imagery taken between 2003 and 2005 shows tire marks and patches of disturbed soil in the area where the remains were recovered. According to satellite photos, the last victim was buried in 2005. By 2006, development had encroached on the area, and soon after, the site was disturbed, buried, and platted for residential development.
On February 2, 2009, a woman walking a dog found a human bone on the West Mesa and reported it to police. As a result of the subsequent police investigation, authorities discovered the remains of eleven women and girls, one woman being pregnant, buried in the area. They were between 15 and 32 years of age, most were Hispanic, and they were involved with drugs and sex work. Syllania Edwards, a 15-year-old runaway from Lawton, 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.
Victims[]
The following is a list of the confirmed victims, listed chronologically by the date they were reported missing or last seen:
- Monica Candelaria (May 2003)
- Veronica Romero (February 2004)
- Evelyn Salazar & Jamie Barela (April 2004)
- Syllania Edwards (May 2004)
- Cinnamon Elks (August 2004)
- Julie Nieto (August 2004)
- Virginia Cloven (October 2004)
- Doreen Marquez (December 2004)
- Michelle Valdez (February 2005)
- Victoria Chavez (March 2005)
Possible Victims[]
Prior to 2009, Detective Ida Lopez constructed a list of missing Albuquerque women with ties to prostitution and drug addiction who had gone missing between 2001 and 2006; ten were later found buried at West Mesa, although nine women with similar backgrounds remain missing, raising concern that there might be more victims:
- Darlene Marie Trujillo, 20, last seen on July 4, 2001.
- Martha Jo Lucher, 32, last seen on September 3, 2003.
- Anna Love Vigil, 20, last seen on January 21, 2005.
- Felipa Victoria Gonzales, 22, last seen on April 27, 2005
- Nina Brenda Herron, 21, last seen on May 14, 2005.
- Jillian Elizabeth Henderson-Ortiz, 19, last seen on January 16, 2006.
- Shawntell Monique Waites, 29, last seen on March 15, 2006.
- Leah Rachelle Peebles, 23, last seen on May 5, 2006.
- Vanessa Reed, 24, last seen on June 13, 2006.
Suspects[]
Police suspect that the bodies were all buried by the same person or persons and may be the work of a serial killer, who has since come to be referred to as the West Mesa Bone Collector. No official suspects have ever been named in connection with the murders. In 2010, a reward of up to $100,000 was being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Over time, a number of men have attracted police attention, though not named as full suspects, in connection with the murders.
Two Primary Suspects:[]
- Joseph Blea - currently incarcerated for the rape of a 14-year-old girl and suspected of raping dozens of young girls decades ago.
- Lorenzo Montoya - deceased, killed by a woman's pimp