The bone Collector

The Terrifying Case of West Mesa: A Documentary Investigation

The events that unfolded in 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, captured global attention and continue to intrigue many to this day. The story of the "West Mesa Bone Yard" is marked by a battle between law enforcement, a lack of leads, and the hopelessness

In the winter of 2009, after previous searches had turned up nothing, law enforcement officials finally discovered the remains of 11 women in a remote area. Each one had a different and horrifying story.

All of them had disappeared, and all were from the margins of society. Most of the women were involved in illegal activities, battling addiction, or working in the sex trade. It’s often hard to put into words the suffering they endured—not only had they disappeared without much help or attention, but their memory was also shaped by society’s dismissal of them as "criminals." These were people whom the justice system did not see as victims. However, that changed with the discovery of the "West Mesa Bone Yard."

The harrowing events that followed created a complex narrative. Although identifying some of the bodies wasn’t difficult, the main question remained: how did they die? Numerous investigations, using scientific methods and suspicious findings, led to no concrete evidence. No one had witnessed the murders, there were no clear witnesses, and the investigators, facing a dead end, had to theorize without definitive answers.

The Prime Suspect: Lorenzo Montoya

The case took a turn with the suspicion that Lorenzo Montoya, a man with a criminal past, was involved. Montoya was allegedly responsible for an attempted strangulation of one of the women involved in sex work, but the real twist came when he was killed by the woman’s boyfriend in what was described as self-defense. After Montoya’s death, the killings stopped, leading the police to believe that he might have been the serial killer all along.

Another Suspect: Joseph Blee

The investigation then shifted toward another suspect, Joseph Blee. Authorities found jewelry in his home that didn’t belong to him or his family and a stash of women's underwear in his backyard shed. Blee had a history of stalking prostitutes and had been arrested for public indecency in the past. When police searched his car, they found rope and electrical tape, which further increased suspicion.

The New Discovery: Potential Burial Sites

After several months of no breakthroughs, new leads pointed to possible burial sites in other locations. A construction crew working in an area nearby thought they had discovered a second dumping ground. However, this turned out to be the remains of an ancient Native American burial site, not related to the West Mesa murders.

The Community’s Impact:

Five years after the investigation started, no major breakthroughs had been made, leaving investigators at a standstill. In the meantime, a local group worked tirelessly to keep the case alive, warning the community about potential dangers.

Families of the victims also continued to honor their loved ones, placing crosses with their names and messages for their children, grandchildren, and other relatives. The impact of these murders has deeply affected the community. Albuquerque has long struggled with a crime problem, but this case, in particular, has sparked intense passion among locals who are determined to uncover the truth about what happened to these women.

The Growing Desperation:

It seems that each year something brings this case back into the public spotlight. Memorials for the victims are held, and their families continue to keep the memory of their loved ones alive. Crosses with names and personal messages are put up for the victims, a constant reminder of the unresolved tragedy. The case continues to haunt the city, and the determination to find answers has only intensified with time. People are deeply invested in discovering the truth, hoping that one day the killer will be found and justice will be served.