42-year-old Melissa Montoya was last seen in Dulce, New Mexico on March 9, 2001. She disappeared after going to a St. Patrick’s Day Party at a bar with friends.
Background
Melissa Montoya is originally from Dulce, New Mexico. She is an Native American and an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation.
In 2001, Melissa was living with her non-native boyfriend in a remote area of Colorado, just across the border from New Mexico. She worked on a ranch.
According to her family, the couple’s relationship was violent and abusive, with Melissa being afraid to leave him. Her family offered her a place to stay in New Mexico but she declined, saying she didn’t want to burden her family.
Disappearance
On March 9, 2001, Melissa Montoya went to a St Patrick’s Day Party at Apache House of Liquor, a local bar nicknamed the “The Zoo” located at 13605 US Highway 64 in Dulce, New Mexico.
Melissa had an hour-long conversation with her younger cousin at the party, during which she sounded like she was ready to make the move to end her relationship with her boyfriend.
Later that night, Melissa caught up with a female friend and the two started talking when they were approached by a man believed to be Melissa‘s boyfriend. They couple got into an argument, with Melissa telling him to leave and give her some space.
About an hour later, Melissa was with her friend when the man approached again and told her that it was time to go. Melissa was last seen leaving the bar with the man walking closely behind her.
Melissa hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Investigation
Authorities interviewed Melissa’s boyfriend who claimed that he was never at the bar that night, despite reports by several witnesses. He claimed he didn’t know anything about Melissa’s disappearance.
The boyfriend died shortly after and his home in Colorado later burned down. Authorities conducted a search of the property but found no signs of Melissa.
In 2020, skeletal remains belonging to a Native American female between the ages of 30 and 60 years old were found next to a mountain road in Dulce, New Mexico. It was eventually confirmed to be from a male after further testing.
Whereabouts
Foul play is suspected in Melissa Montoya’s disappearance. The circumstances of Melissa’s disappearance remain unclear and her case is currently classified as missing. Her case remains unsolved.
Appearance
Physical Description:
American Indian/Alaska Native female with black hair and brown eyes. Melissa is 5’7″ – 5’8″ tall and weighs 155 – 165 pounds.
Distinctive Physical Features:
Melissa wore contact lenses.
Clothing and accessories:
Melissa was last seen wearing blue jeans and brown boots.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Melissa Ann Montoya please contact the Jicarilla Apache Nation Police Department at (575) 759-3222, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Jicarilla Agency at (575) 759-3951. Agency Case Number: 010007
