Two more victims ID'd from ABQ mass grave

Posted at: 11/17/2009 2:18 PM | Updated at: 11/17/2009 10:47 PM
By: Antoinette Antonio, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

Medical investigators have identified two more victims from the mass grave discovered earlier this year on Albuquerque's west side.

The latest identifications on Tuesday are Virginia Cloven and Evelyn Salazar, both of Albuquerque. Of the 10 women identified so far, all but one were from New Mexico.

Cloven was 23 and Salazar 26 when both were reported missing in 2004. Both women had tattered pasts that police say included a history of prostitution.

Even though Meriah Otero's mom, Evelyn, has been missing since 2004, the 13-year-old still struggles with her loss. Right now, she's focusing on the few years she had with her mom.

"Always laughing, she was always happy, she was a real nice woman," Meriah said. "She always took care of me no matter what and I really, really do miss her."

Salazar's family says she told them she was going to Wilson Park near the Air Force base in April 2004—but she never came back. Both her daughter and mother say they had a feeling when news first surfaced of the West Mesa investigation that Salazar would be among the victims.

Police unearthed the remains of 11 victims and a fetus in the mass grave in February. Police say with every identification, they are coming closer to finding the killer. So far, 10 of 11 bodies found have been identified.

At this point, officers say they have four or five suspects in the case.

Meriah says she wants justice for her mom.

"She was a good person. She wouldn't do anything to hurt anybody and I hope they do find the person that did this to her," she said.

 

 Family learns daughter is mesa victim

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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