Navajo woman’s body is identified

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — The first thought that comes to mind when the family remembers Tara Lynn Woodman is her laughter, her sense of humor and outgoing personality.

“She was a beautiful and loving person, full of life and energy,” according to her aunt, Marlene Forster.

Woodman moved to Albuquerque in 2004 and later was reported missing. Now, almost three years exactly after her skeletal remains were found Feb. 25, 2005, on a mesa in West Albuquerque, she is finally coming home to be laid to rest.

Detective Rich Lewis of Albuquerque Police Department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, who took over the case about 1-1/2 years ago from Homicide, said Friday, “Woodman was reported missing to our agency in 2005, about the same time we discovered the skeletal remains.”

When found, the victim had short hair. Because police were unsure of her nationality, artists’ renderings depicted her with both short and long hair, and with both black and Native American facial characteristics. In an interview Feb. 4, Lewis said, “We’ve researched missing persons reports all over Arizona and New Mexico and we just can’t identify her.”

The Independent ran a story Feb. 5 and included a sketch by Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department Detective Mary Brazas, which depicted the victim with long hair and Native characteristics.

“I had numerous calls from the Navajo Nation area that told me who the victim was the day the article ran,” he said.

Woodman was 18 years old when she died, and now that she has been identified, the investigation is progressing, Lewis said. “There are leads that are being followed up and we’re very confident we’re going to have a positive outcome on this investigation.”

Woodman was wearing a 2004 “Just Move It” T-shirt when found and had participated in an event in Chinle where she received one of the shirts, Lewis later learned.

Her uncle, Mark Forster, spokesman for the family, said Friday, “She was a very fine poet and a very good athlete. She ran track and participated several times in the ‘Just Move It’ events.”

Her aunt, Marlene Forster, said Woodman also had a competitive side, and participated in volleyball, basketball and track in high school. “She had a love for running.”

The daughter of Geraldine Jim and stepdaughter of Cecil Jim, Tara Woodman was born April 1, 1986, in Chinle, into the Black Streak Forest People for the Big Water Clan.

She lived most of her life in Klagetoh and attended Valley High School in Sanders for three years before graduating from Many Farms High School.

“This young lady wanted to live,” Marlene Forster said.

“She had plans. She was a very strong, opinionated but passionate and loving person. She wanted to treat everyone with fairness and respect. Her outlook on life allowed her to love everyone regardless of past mistakes.

She was the type of person who would protect and defend her family and friends.

“She was a part of our lives, a part that cannot be brought back. She was taken from us. Her lifetime experiences and goals were trampled on.”

Marlene referred to a comment in the Feb. 5 article in which Detective Lewis remarked that the victim, then still unidentified, was “not going to be a throwaway street person.”

“She definitely was not,” her aunt said. “This young lady was our daughter, our sister, our niece, our granddaughter, our cousin, our friend, and she was our baby and we love her and miss her so much. The light of laughter that shined through her will never be forgotten.

“The tragedy that took her from us is still unsolved, so if you have any information regarding Tara, please, we beg all to share any information that they think may be helpful,” Marlene said.

The family expressed its thanks to Detective Lewis and Albuquerque Police Department for all the time and investigation they have spent in finding Woodman.

“Her family loved her greatly,” Mark said. “I thought this might be closure, but it’s not closure yet.”

The funeral is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Klagetoh Shelter Mission with the Bishop Jerry DuBois officiating. Burial will be in Klagetoh Community Cemetery. Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.