Identity of skeletal remains sought

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Recent forensic sketches have led the FBI to reopen a 10-year-old investigation into mysterious human remains found in a shallow grave near Gallup.

The drawings are based on two-dimensional facial reconstructions made by Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Detective Mary Brazas, according to a news release issued by Albuquerque-based FBI spokesman Todd Hulsey. Brazas is one of only a handful of forensic artists in the state, whose services are in great demand, creating a backlog of up to 10 years.

The remains — which were discovered in a shallow grave off Interstate Highway 40 on July 31, 1999 — belonged to a female, and are believed to have been there since 1997.

The woman was between 35 and 50 years old and between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 7 inches tall, according to the news release. Buried with the remains were prize ribbons from a county fair in Stoddard County, Mo., raising questions about the woman’s origin. Dexter, Mo., Police Detective Trevor Pulley said the fair is always held in September. The ribbons were presented by the Association of Retarded Citizens in Stoddard County.

The FBI is working closely with Dexter, Mo., police and New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator, and asking for information from citizens.

If you have any information, contact FBI Special Agent Diana Parker at (505) 889-1542, or New Mexico Medical Investigator (OMI) Terry Coker at (505) 272-3053.