In December 2017, 39-year-old Audra Willis was tragically murdered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a case that initially baffled investigators. For over a year, there were no leads, and her family was left without answers or justice. However, in a surprising turn of events, an unlikely witness came forward with crucial information providing the breakthrough needed to identify her killer.

Sources:
https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/man-sentenced-for-stabbing-decapitating-homeless-woman-in-2017/

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/albuquerque-man-sentenced-for-decapitating-woman-in-2017/

https://www.koat.com/article/police-identify-woman-who-was-decapitated-found-in-four-hills/14520172

https://www.koat.com/article/albuquerque-foothills-man-guilty-2017-murder/43637341

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This Christmas Eve, we revisit the story of Janice Hannigan, a 16-year-old Yakama girl who disappeared on this very day in 1971 in Washington state. Her case remains unsolved, and her story is a somber reminder that the MMIP crisis doesn’t take a holiday. Join me for this special recap episode as we reflect on Janice’s life, her family’s heartbreak, and the systemic challenges that continue to leave families searching for answers.

Sources:

https://charleyproject.org/case/janice-marie-hannigan

https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/topics/the_vanished/47-years-zero-answers-16-year-old-janice-hannigan-of-toppenish-disappeared-after-christmas-eve/article_320dd326-da70-11e8-b3d5-cf9009f8677d.amp.html

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In 1989, Ronald Jack, his wife Doreen and their two young sons, Russell and Ryan, vanished without a trace from Prince George, British Columbia. What began as a hopeful opportunity quickly turned into one of the region's most enduring mysteries. Decades later, questions remain unanswered, and the search for the truth continues.

Sources:
Vigil remembers missing B.C. family 35 years after disappearance | CBC News

Relatives of Prince George family missing since 1989 mount new search | Vancouver Sun

The Disappearance of the Jack Family - Missing since 1989 - Prince George, B.C. — CANADA UNSOLVED

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In 2023, a 28-year-old Pascua Yaqui woman, Wilma Acosta, embarked on an exciting new chapter by moving to Portland, Oregon, filled with hope and the promise of new beginnings. But just a few months later, she vanished, leaving her family, friends, and community devastated and searching for answers.

Sources:

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/south-bay/south-bay-family-missing-daughter/3388725/?os=f&ref=app

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/08/26/wilma-acosta-yaqui-disappearance-portland-police/

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=503185

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=503185

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/missing-woman-wilma-acosta-portland-dead-willamette-river/283-55d767e2-8233-47c0-80be-94a7c2a259dd

https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portland-police-family-disagree-over-investigation-into-missing-woman/

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We’re excited to be back! We Are Resilient returns with more MMIP stories, and Sgili Queens is ready with fresh spooky and pop culture episodes. Catch both starting December 1 on Apple, Spotify, and more!

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Melissa Montoya, 42, was of the Jicarilla Apache Nation and in 2001 was living with her boyfriend in Colorado, about about 30 minutes for her hometown of Dulce, New Mexico on the Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation. On March 9th, 2001 during an evening out Melissa vanished without a trace.

Sources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna164088

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/search-continues-for-new-mexico-woman-23-years-after-disappearance/

https://radio.foxnews.com/2024/06/18/disappearance-in-dulce-the-case-of-melissa-montoya/

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Shauntae Marshall, 26, is a member of the Navajo Nation in Albuquerque, New Mexico who went missing in June 2024. Her family desperately needs help to find her.

Sources:
https://mmip.nmdoj.gov/dashboard.html

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In August 2022, 28-year-old Whisper Sellars was shot to death outside a saloon in Montana. Two years later, her killer finally had his day in court and Whisper’s family and friends finally received justice.

Sources:

https://www.krtv.com/news/crime-and-courts/del-orrin-crawford-found-guilty-for-deadly-martin-city-shooting

https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/07/23/trial-begins-for-man-accused-in-martin-city-murder/

https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/07/25/jury-convicts-kila-man-of-martin-city-murder/

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According to the National Inquiry in Canada, Indigenous women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than any other women in Canada, and 16 times more likely than Caucasian women.

This  statistic is especially terrifying when the world learned that in 2022 a serial killer targeting Indigenous women was captured in Winnipeg. 

Sources:

https://ywcavan.org/blog/2019/10/mmiwg-truth-action

Canada: unidentified victim of alleged serial killer given name Buffalo Woman | Canada | The Guardian

Canadian man charged with murdering four Indigenous women | Canada | The Guardian

Jeremy Skibicki to plead not guilty on all charges in 1st-degree murder case: lawyer - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

Winnipeg trial hears admitted serial killer searched web for serial killer definition - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

https://globalnews.ca/news/10494416/trial-of-winnipeg-serial-killer-expected-to-hear-testimony-from-dna-expert/

Winnipeg trial hears victims’ clothing, jewelry found in serial killer’s apartment - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

‘As though they were garbage’: Trial hears serial killer targeted Indigenous women - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

Winnipeg serial killer told shelter worker 'he was just there to stalk his victims,' trial hears | CBC News

Women's remains believed to have spent 2 weeks in same Winnipeg dumpster before going to landfill, trial hears | CBC News

Serial killer who targeted Indigenous women gets life sentence in Canada - ICT News

Canadian serial killer Jeremy Skibicki found guilty of murdering four women (bbc.com)

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In April 2024, 36 year old Utahnna Bearcomesout was out on drive with her husband and daughter in Fort Washakie, Wyoming when a tragic turn of events cost her, her life. With her husband behind bars, her family and friends are desperately seeking justice.

Sources:
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/06/10/hes-not-sorry-family-of-slain-woman-says-as-accused-killer-pleads-not-guilty/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2bOKmZWinWfA1crN1HP66CkkVSUngWbFaJALqKyY6b8XN72rS1mIeyjmI_aem_eWofmuH0NGtnzEmK_5dwUQ

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