Cold Case Homicide Investigations

This web page has been created in an effort to obtain any information which would assist the New Mexico State Police in their investigations of unsolved homicides or missing persons cases. If you have information on any unsolved homicide you can contact Capt. Scott D. Weaver (scott.weaver@state.nm.us) at 505 / 827-9089 or Lt. David C. Martinez (david.martinez5@state.nm.us) at 505 / 827 3431

CASE OVERVIEW

Thomas “Cotton” McKnight and his wife Judy McKnight lived and worked on what was referred to as the “Upper McKnight Ranch” which is located in southeastern Lincoln County. They were found murdered in the kitchen of their ranch house on November 15, 1984. They were last seen alive on November 13, 1984. It was determined that they died from gunshot wounds. There was no sign of forced entry to the residence and evidence at the scene supports that the McKnight’s either knew their assailant(s) and/or were comfortable with their being in the residence.

The case was initially investigated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. In December 1984, the New Mexico State Police terminated their assistance in the investigation, which was continued by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. In August 1985, the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Lincoln County convened an Investigative Grand Jury into the McKnight murders. The Grand Jury did not return any indictments and recommended that the investigation continue. In September 1985, The New Mexico Attorney General and the New Mexico State Police conducted a joint investigation into the McKnight murders.

As of this date, no viable suspect(s) have been identified in this case.

This case has NOT been classified as a cold case. Currently the State Police are seeking any information regarding the identity of the suspects involved.

On January 20, 2004, the State Police Criminal Investigations Section was called upon to investigate an apparent homicide in Tucumcari, NM. A local gift shop was robbed around closing time. Joan Vance, a mother of three children who began working at the Sundowner in August of 2003 was killed.

At this time it is believed the suspects were traveling through town. The main roads through Tucumcari are I-40 and U.S. 54. Only cash was taken, no other merchandise. No suspects have been identified at this time. If you have any information in regard to this investigation please contact New Mexico State Police Agent Josh Armijo at (505) 461-3300 or e-mail at Joshua.Armijo@state.nm.us.

A $20,000.00 reward for information leading to the identity of the suspects is being offered by the by the Quay County Crime Stoppers.

On October 11, 2003, the New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section was called upon to investigate an apparent homicide just north of Espanola, New Mexico. A passerby riding his four-wheeler located a body of a deceased female who was partially unclothed and lying face up. The victim had been shot twice, and later identified as Yvonne Martinez.

Yvonne Martinez’s last verified whereabouts was at the Okay Casino just North of Espanola New Mexico. Yvonne was last seen leaving the Casino through the south exit at approximately 1:50 a.m. Evidence at the scene revealed Yvonne Martinez had struggled with her assailant. No suspects have been identified at this time. If you have any information in regards to this investigation please contact New Mexico State Police Sgt. Chris Valdez at (505) 753-5631 or e-mail at Chris.Valdez@state.nm.us.

A $5000.00 dollar reward for information leading to the identity/capture of the suspects is being offered by the Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation. Note- your name will remain anonymous.

On July 29, 2001, at 2:40 a.m., State Police responded to a report of a man down in the south bound lanes of State Road 68, north of the town of Espanola. The subject, a John Doe was taken to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, with major head trauma where he died later that day. The State Police Criminal Investigations Section was called upon to investigate. The deceased was identified as16-year-old Brian Edmonds.

Brian Edmonds was last seen at a neighbor’s birthday party, the night before he was found on the highway. According to several witness’s he was suffering from a small laceration on his head prior to his death. He left the party to walk to his home, which was a short distance away. He was found on the highway less than a mile from his residence.

The autopsy of Brian Edmonds could not determine how the injuries were received, either from a vehicle or from a blow, therefore the manner of death remains undetermined.

No suspects have been identified at this time. If you have any information please contact Sgt. Chris Valdez at 505-753-5631 or e-mail at Chris.Valdez@state.nm.us.

On March 4, 2000, the New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section was called to investigate a shallow grave that was discovered by target shooters west of Albuquerque, New Mexico, south of I-40, mile marker 144.5, near nine-mile hill.

Investigators and anthropologist uncovered the body of a female. The condition of the body indicates that the body had not been at that location for a long period of time. The body is described as a white female, mid-fifties, 5 feet 03 inches tall, 150 pounds. She was wearing a pair of faded black jeans, a white western shirt, brown leather vest and a pair of black/gray cowboy boots. She had a marijuana leaf tattoo on her left upper arm with the #13 tattooed under the marijuana leaf. Tattooed on her right upper thigh was "Sunny".

If you have any information in regard to this investigation please contact David C. Martinez at 505-827-3431 or e-mail at david.martinez5@state.nm.us.

On December 7, 1990, Mrs. Jean Sturges was found shot to death inside of her residence located at 510 Highland Street in Estancia, New Mexico. Mrs. Sturges was a sixty-one year old woman who lived with her husband, Charles “Bozo” Sturges at the time of the murder. Mrs. Sturges was also co-owner of the local supermarket, Sturges Market.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Lieutenant David C. Martinez at 505-827-3431 or e-mail at david.martinez5@state.nm.us.

On July 15, 1989, the body of Janis Pulliam was discovered floating in the northern portion of Elephant Butte Lake approximately two miles north of Rock House.

Janis was last seen near noon on July 10, 1989. She said she was leaving town with a special friend for a few days. Janis’ vehicle, a white Mercedes, was discovered abandoned in the parking lot of the Hilton Hotel in Albuquerque on July 20, 1989.

To date, any suspects responsible for Janis’ murder have not been identified. If anyone has any information of the murder of Janis Pulliam, contact New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations in Las Cruces, NM, Sgt. Felipe Gonzalez, at 575-525-4850 or e-mail at Felipe.Gonzalez@state.nm.us.

On October 1, 1991, Jennifer left her home in Missoula, Montana and flew to San Diego. Among her possessions were her white Fuji bicycle and a return airplane ticket. Jennifer made frequent contact with family and friends via telephone from October 1 - 17, 1991. She was last seen at a Shell service station on Pine Street in Deming, New Mexico. From there she called her mother at approximately 9 a.m. on October 17. A missing persons report was generated on November 1, 1991, by the Missoula Police Department.

On September 4, 1992, hikers discovered several items belonging to Jennifer under a tarp in a remote area between Hatch and Deming off of State Road 26. The investigation of Jennifer’s disappearance was the subject of national news coverage but no information as to her location has surfaced. Jennifer is 5 feet 5 inches tall, 125 pounds, blonde hair and blue eyes. Her date of birth is April 4, 1973. Anyone with information concerning the disappearance of Jennifer can contact New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations in Las Cruces, NM, Sgt. Stephen Cary, at 505-524-6111 or e-mail at Stephen.Cary@state.nm.us.