Man found living in missing woman's home

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Authorities want to locate a 43-year-old Gallup man who is considered a "person of interest" in the disappearance of an 80-year-old woman who was reported missing April 17.

Edgar Shirley was reportedly living in Janice Whittenberg VanWart's trailer at the Desert Rose Trailer Park following her disappearance in early April, according to Detective Jon Whitsitt, of the Gallup Police Department.

He was also seen driving her car in Klagetoh, Ariz., witnesses also told investigators. In the days leading up to VanWart's disappearance, she and Shirley became acquaintances after Shirley was hired to make repairs to the trailer park's units.

The trailer park's manager became concerned about VanWart after she found Shirley living in the trailer without VanWart.

Whitsitt said the trailer park's manager questioned Shirley about VanWart's whereabouts.

"You'll never see her again. She doesn't want to talk to you," Shirley allegedly replied.

The trailer park manager contacted police about the matter and the agency immediately began an inquiry into VanWart's whereabouts.

However, police have been unable to locate Shirley since they began their investigation.

Whitsitt said VanWart's friends are concerned about her because she would have contacted them if she planned to leave the area.

Anyone with information about VanWart's or Shirley's whereabouts, is asked to call the Gallup Police Department at (505) 863-9365.

Missing girl found
A 10-year-old Gallup girl was found unharmed after she was reported missing by her mother early Monday morning.

Authorities activated the Missing Child Notification system when the girl's mother reported her missing to local police. The automated system called the residences located within a five-mile radius of the girl's last known whereabouts at Maple Circle to alert them of the situation.

The girl reportedly ran from her mother while they were walking to a school bus stop at about 8:30 a.m.

A resident riding an all terrain vehicle found the girl unharmed and lying underneath a tree just east of the Cedar Hills Plaza. The girl told police she had fallen asleep underneath the tree.