NM NM - Melissa Crabtree, 51, Taos, mid Feb 2020

  • #21
Fellow Sleuthers and Friends especially in Taos -
I have been asked by Melissa's family, to let everyone know it is confirmed that Melissa last met with a friend in Taos and later made a phone call on February 23. Ten days after her car was towed. We believe Melissa is out there !
We look forward to your excellent help as always on WS
 
  • #22
Fellow Sleuthers and Friends especially in Taos -
I have been asked by Melissa's family, to let everyone know it is confirmed that Melissa last met with a friend in Taos and later made a phone call on February 23. Ten days after her car was towed. We believe Melissa is out there !
We look forward to your excellent help as always on WS

OK, thank you for this!

I am a bit confused - there is no time-line I'm aware of - aside from on the 29th she was reported missing, after two weeks wherein family did not hear from her...

So, last heard was the 23rd....I'm not sure what you're talking about RE: her car being towed...?? And the 23rd is 10 days after her car being towed.....questions:
from where?
to where?
And why?

I assumed her car was found at the gorge bridge after she was reported missing...? (ie, after the 29th)

Thanks for clarifying this...

It would be amazing if there is a chance she's alive & okay :)

Thanks again!
 
  • #23
After re-reading your post & mine, 'A little bit intuitive':

Are you able to create & share a time-line for us?

Because now I'm thinking when you said 'ten days after her car was towed' (ie, it was towed the 13th)...do you mean 'ten days later' - (her car was towed ten days after the 23rd?)

Also, very confused as to why her car would be at the gorge bridge if towed there...?

At any rate,it does sound like she was alive during those two weeks wherein family did not hear from her...I'm just very confused about the car situation - when, where, why, how was it towed?

How did it end up at the gorge bridge -?

Thanks so much if you can clarify this!
 
  • #24
Thanks for your que
OK, thank you for this!

I am a bit confused - there is no time-line I'm aware of - aside from on the 29th she was reported missing, after two weeks wherein family did not hear from her...

So, last heard was the 23rd....I'm not sure what you're talking about RE: her car being towed...?? And the 23rd is 10 days after her car being towed.....questions:
from where?
to where?
And why?

I assumed her car was found at the gorge bridge after she was reported missing...? (ie, after the 29th)

Thanks for clarifying this...

It would be amazing if there is a chance she's alive & okay :)

Thanks again!
Thanks for your query.
-Prior knowledge of Melissa's last voicemail was around Febuary 10th.
-Car found and towed on February 13 in Taos New Mexico near Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
-Her brother contacted LE on Febuary 27 and 28. He had not heard from her in a couple of weeks.
-Search of her residence in Taos and her vehicle offered no clues.
-Searches then take place by LE at the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge ,including a helicopter assisting in the search. No results.
I am in contact with Melissa's brother who welcomes our help. This is an active investigation and as LE is accepting all information.
-This morning March 10 ,on The Search for Sweet Melissa Crabtree fb page it was confirmed that Melissa last met with a friend in Taos and later made a phone call on Febuary 23. This is ten days after her car was towed from the location.
I asked her brother if I could share this information on WS. He was very happy to hear of our work here. I let him know also that there are local folks from the Taos community here tuning in. On his behalf I say Thank you~
The Search for Sweet Melissa Crabtree fb page is a great resource for the most up to date information about bringing home our very loved one.
 
Last edited:
  • #25
Thanks for your que

Thanks for your query.
-Prior knowledge of Melissa's last voicemail was around Febuary 10th.
-Car found and towed on February 13 in Taos New Mexico near Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
-Her brother contacted LE on Febuary 27 and 28. He had not heard from her in a couple of weeks.
-Search of her residence in Taos and her vehicle offered no clues.
-Searches then take place by LE at the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge ,including a helicopter assisting in the search. No results.
I am in contact with Melissa's brother who welcomes our help. This is an active investigation and as LE is accepting all information.
-This morning March 10 ,on The Search for Sweet Melissa Crabtree fb page it was confirmed that Melissa last met with a friend in Taos and later made a phone call on Febuary 23. This is ten days after her car was towed from the location.
I asked her brother if I could share this information on WS. He was very happy to hear of our work here. I let him know also that there are local folks from the Taos community here tuning in. On his behalf I say Thank you~
The Search for Sweet Melissa Crabtree fb page is a great resource for the most up to date information about bringing home our very loved one.
Thank you. Very encouraging news if it's true. Unfortunately, it also raises more questions. (I realize you probably can't answer them!)
  1. Does the friend who saw her on Feb 23 know where she was between Feb 10 and Feb 23?
  2. Did Melissa say where she was going from there?
  3. How did she get from the bridge to wherever the friend saw her?
  4. Who did she call on Feb 23? (No names - but, friend, relative, taxi???)
I hope you get a good turnout for the flyer distribution. I would love to help but I'm not close at all. MOO
 
  • #26
Thank you. Very encouraging news if it's true. Unfortunately, it also raises more questions. (I realize you probably can't answer them!)
  1. Does the friend who saw her on Feb 23 know where she was between Feb 10 and Feb 23?
  2. Did Melissa say where she was going from there?
  3. How did she get from the bridge to wherever the friend saw her?
  4. Who did she call on Feb 23? (No names - but, friend, relative, taxi???)
I hope you get a good turnout for the flyer distribution. I would love to help but I'm not close at all. MOO
Yes, I do know fortunately that this individual came forward and spoke to LE, and their story is confirmed.
My feeling are the same , it is the nature of her conversation with this friend that are going to be most telling.
Her brother indicated there is not alot of info coming out of LE offices . But they are actively working on the case and welcome information.
Thank you about distribution of the flyers. It means alot. There are friends up here in Southern Oregon funding that effort and friends in Taos distributing them locally.Hopefully this helps jog someone's memory.
Thank you again for your kindness.
 
  • #27
I wanted to post Melissa's flyer information:
"Melissa Crabtree has been missing since February 11th. Car towed on Feburary 13th. She was seen at the Hanuman Temple on February 23 briefly.
We believe she is in danger and needs help."
 
  • #28
- Also sadly, the family is having difficulty in having the her Medical Diagnosis of Advanced Lymes Disease , which causes diminished mental capacity , accepted by the State Police. This is impeding them from searching for her.
I suggested calling Social Services and verifying her diagnosis with her Physician.
 
  • #29
Absolutely horrifying.

It is extremely easy to go over.
Taos teen’s death renews call for barriers at gorge bridge

Suicides/Deaths:
Sept, 1990: Patrick Chase, 43, of Taos. Chase, a Taos loner who made smudge sticks for a living, disappeared leaving his vehicle at the rim of the Rio Grande gorge. No body ever found.

15 Nov 1990: Mike Finley, 45. Finley's body was found in the sage west of the gorge bridge. The report states that Finley committed suicide but it doesn't say how. He worked as a telephone technician in Taos.

16 Dec, 1991: Dennis Magnusen, 54, of Astoria OR Magnusen jumped to his death from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

27 Aug, 1992: Katherine Seed Kimbril, 50, of Taos (for 8 years)
Kimbril's body found in Rio Grande Gorge, an apparent suicide. She left a four-page letter in her '67 Ford Fairlane addressed to her mother concerning the disposition of her possessions along with various other documents connected with witchcraft and UFOs including a statement saying that she was a "UFO breeder."

31 Aug, 1992: Matt Aurand, 20, of Dixon. Aurand disappeared and his truck was discovered at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. On 9 September kayakers find a body which authorities speculate may be Aurand's. No further information reported.

28 March, 1996: Elmer D. Parham, 75, of Fairview
Parham jumped from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge to his death at around 12:30 pm.

15 Aug, 1996:: Alicia Lauritzen, 51. Lauritzen, a psychotherapist with two children, jumped to her death from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

22 Nov, 1996: Charlie Sutherland, 21 and Kamala Sutherland, 21. The newlyweds jumped to their deaths from the Gorge Bridge; the bride suffered from bi-polar disorder.

14 Jan, 2000: Dwight John Juers, 30, of St. Paul, MN Juers,, described as a loner and a wanderer, apparently jumped to his death from the Gorge Bridge.

19 June, 2000: Tomas Montoya, 40, of Rio Rancho
Montoya, a lawyer from Rio Rancho, jumped to his death from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge at 10:40 am.

3 Oct, 2001: Charles Smith, 37, of Santa Fe. Smith disappeared, abandoning a rental car at the Gorge Bridge containing his wallet and keys, in early October. Originally from Mississippi, Smith had lived and worked most recently in Santa Fe, though he had been in Taos for a while staying at motels. His father said he suffered from depression. On 8 November, his body was discovered in gorge by rafters.

November 13, 2002
Erik Sanchez was murdered when he was thrown off the Taos Gorge bridge during the course of a car theft. The crime began when two men, Luis Acosta, the driver, and David Sandoval, the passenger, tricked Sanchez into pulling over and stopping his car. Sandoval then forced Sanchez at gunpoint to relinquish control of his car, and Sandoval drove off with Sanchez in the passenger seat. Acosta followed in the other car. Eventually, Acosta left his car at his mother's house, and the two hijackers continued in Sanchez's car to the bridge, where they threw Sanchez to his death and took his car.

7 March, 2003: Herson Vigil, 31
Vigil shot himself in the head at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and his body then fell into the gorge on a Friday afternoon.

27 April, 2003: Mariana Augustini, 44
Augustini of Santa Fe and Vermont jumped to her death from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge leaving a suicide note in her car.

4 June, 2003: Susan Jayne Weiss
Weiss, of Santa Fe, (no age given), committed suicide by jumping off the bridge. Her body found in the gorge on 20 July.

I can't cross the bridge after Erik. (ETA: I just noticed that the date is wrong. This actually happened in 1998)
It haunts me. :(

Note: At trial, it was disclosed that evidence was found of Erik clinging to the railings, trying to save his life. They hit and kicked his hands until he lost his grip and fell to his death. He put up quite a fight. I can't imagine the terror of falling into that biting cold darkness. It's the stuff nightmares are made of.
 
  • #30
Offered NAMUS database link to Melissa's family. An excellent resource.
 
  • #31
Melissa Update :
Everyone is asked to please keep their positivity for Melissa !
As of March 11, there are reports of people seeing her in the local Taos area ! It has been reported she has been seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
If seen please approach her very gently. She is very fragile and has recently been hospitalized before her disappearance.
Please contact on FB Messenger -
The Search for Sweet Melissa Crabtree
Thank You Everyone!
 
  • #32
Melissa Update :
Everyone is asked to please keep their positivity for Melissa !
As of March 11, there are reports of people seeing her in the local Taos area ! It has been reported she has been seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
If seen please approach her very gently. She is very fragile and has recently been hospitalized before her disappearance.
Please contact on FB Messenger -
The Search for Sweet Melissa Crabtree
Thank You Everyone!

I sure hope this is true - she's here & alive :)
Thank you so much for these updates
Prayers to her & I hope there is good news & help for her soon
Again, thanks :)
 
  • #33
Thank you
I sure hope this is true - she's here & alive :)
Thank you so much for these updates
Prayers to her & I hope there is good news & help for her soon
Again, thanks :)
Thank you so much for your Prayers
 
  • #34
Wanted give everyone a Melissa update -
Per her search page on Facebook
The Search for Sweet Melissa Crabtree-
22 March 2020
Melissa's brother and family will be in Taos very soon to join the search. And to please thank everyone for your positive thoughts, with special thanks to those on the ground in Taos.
 
  • #35
Missing El Prado woman found safe
Not to be misleading, this is NOT Melissa, but the article mentions her.
Another local musician, Melissa Crabtree, remains missing. Authorities are still actively seeking leads as to her whereabouts. Information on that case can be reported to Taos Central Dispatch at (575) 758-2216.
 
  • #36
'I can feel her energy'

This article mentions her brother searching for her. He's unable (legally) to access her financial records (I assume to find out if her bank account has been accessed.)

It describes the health issues she was (is) having -- she was taking medication around February and may have visible scratches on her face (scratching may be a side effect? This may be a clue if she's seen.)

Article says there were possible sightings of her in late February. I think the sightings sound legitimate.

It sounds like she was / is probably still living a transient lifestyle, due to cognitive effects of her medical conditions.

I hope she will be located safely soon and reunited with family and can receive the best medical care possible going forward.
 
  • #37
Melissa is mentioned in this article. Still missing. :(

APR 9, 2021
Search continues for missing Taos man | Local News | santafenewmexican.com
[...]

In 2016, Taos resident Holly White was reported missing after her car was found parked in the gorge bridge parking lot. In February 2020, the same thing happened again; this time, local musician Melissa Crabtree’s car was found. Neither of their bodies has been recovered.

Advocates have pushed for years for safety measures to prevent such tragedies. The effort saw a step forward this week.

The state Legislature set aside capital outlay for a project this year in House Bill 285, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law Friday. The measure will give Taos County $150,000 for “Rio Grande Gorge safety improvements,” which will include putting up cameras in the area with the help of the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

[...]
 
  • #38
Another Taos woman goes missing



Local Taos musician Melissa Crabtree, 51, was reported missing on Feb. 29 after her family had not heard from her for two weeks, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said in a March 4 press release.
  • The press release did not state where she was last seen.
  • Searches of her home and vehicle offered no clues as to her whereabouts.
  • According to court records, she kept a post office box in Arroyo Seco.
  • Melissa had lived in the Taos area for years and was well-known in the local music scene.
  • She also worked as a local river rafting guide and was profiled in "Remarkable Women of Taos," a book spotlighting local women.
  • Holly White, Taos Center for the Arts, also went missing nearly four years ago, not long before she was to turn 50. She has not been found.
If you have any information, please contact Taos Central Dispatch at (575) 758-2216.

Taos County Sheriff's Office

Melissa Crabtree
Hello Everyone!
Thank you for bringing light to Melissa's case and for everyone for their efforts in bringing the missing home to their families and friends.
I am a member here but also friend to Melissa and another missing woman named Kim Mericle. Both very talented singer/ songwriters, both sadly missed by all.
 
  • #39
Hello Everyone!
Thank you for bringing light to Melissa's case and for everyone for their efforts in bringing the missing home to their families and friends.
I am a member here but also friend to Melissa and another missing woman named Kim Mericle. Both very talented singer/ songwriters, both sadly missed by all.
Nice to see you again. :) I am sorry your sweet friend has not been found. Continued prayers for all Melissa's friends and family.
 
  • #40
Nice to see you again. :) I am sorry your sweet friend has not been found. Continued prayers for all Melissa's friends and family.
So nice to hear you as well.Thanks so much for your kindness concerning dear Melissa. She's truly a shining star
 

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