The FBI’s “Voices Not Forgotten” initiative aims to resolve cases of murdered and missing Indigenous people, but some families and advocates in New Mexico express concerns over communication.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Mona Vallo of Acoma Pueblo was found dead over four years ago near Route 66’s mile marker 120 in Laguna, New Mexico. Today, her son Adrian Jackson fights to keep her memory alive.
“Mother was a loving mother, grandmother, sister [and] auntie — just a great person all the way around,” Jackson said.
The circumstances surrounding Vallo’s death remain unsolved. As part of “Voices Not Forgotten” — a nationwide FBI initaitive launched in August — the bureau has raised reward money for information about Vallo’s death and other missing and murdered Indigenous cases to $25,000.
“It’s to increase engagement with the victims’ families as well as tribal law enforcement partners to ensure we continue to do our due diligence with our local, state, federal and tribal partners to try and resolve these cases,” said Special Agent Justin Garris of the FBI’s Albuquerque field office.
Garris also highlighted the importance of collaboration with tribal law enforcement and communities.
“We probably have the best relationships I’ve seen at all the field offices I’ve worked in,” he said. “That matters because we collaborate together, we share intelligence, we share information and our engagement with the communities is fantastic.”
However, some tribal advocates in New Mexico have expressed concerns about strained relations. Attorney Darlene Gomez, who represents Jackson, said communication between the FBI and families has been lacking since the dismantling of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force three years ago.
“Since about 2023, there has been no progress between the FBI and families,” Gomez said. “As a matter of fact, it’s virtually impossible to speak to FBI agents.”
Jackson shared his frustrations about the lack of updates on his mother’s case.
“It’s very disturbing,” he said. “I can go on and on about this.”
Aside from a letter stating that his mother’s case is still pending, Jackson said he has not heard from his field agent since a meeting in Albuquerque three years ago, even after the recent reward increase.
“The only communication we get is to go to the website,” he said. “There’s no agent that contacts me to inform me about anything.”
While advocates believe the increased reward may encourage people to come forward with information, they emphasize the need for the FBI to improve communication with families affected by these tragedies.
“For me, as an advocate, as an attorney for these families — it’s heartbreaking because I do have hope,” Gomez said. “But what does it really mean for these families?”
Jackson expressed his desire for more direct communication from the FBI, reflecting on his personal motivation — his mother Mona.
“She was our mother,” he said. “I mean, we would want everything for her to get done.”
The FBI’s Albuquerque field office responded to these statements, saying, while their agents do their best to further their relationships with tribal communities, the organization’s obligation is to the integrity of an investigation. Additionally, it says some families may not yet have received updates due to the novelty of the “Voices Not Forgotten” initiative.
