LAGUNA, N.M. – More than four months after Brittany Starr Waconda disappeared, her family is continuing its effort to keep her name and face before the public while investigators have announced no new developments in the case.
Waconda, 39, has been missing since May 18. Her sister, Autumn Waconda, said Monday that the family has received no recent update from the Bureau of Indian Affairs or FBI and continues to wait for answers.
Over Laguna Feast weekend, the family operated a booth dedicated to Brittany and other missing and murdered Indigenous people. Posters displayed the names and photographs of missing and deceased tribal members, while a banner offered a $5,000 reward for information in Brittany’s case.
Autumn said the response showed her how many families have been touched by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives crisis.
“Many more people came and shared stories and showed support not only for my little sister Brittany but for the many more Indigenous people who are loved, missing and murdered,” she wrote after the event.
Family members said visitors shared memories of several people represented at the booth, including relatives and friends who remain missing or whose remains were later recovered.
Autumn also said Gabe Vasquez visited the booth during Laguna Feast and offered to make a congressional inquiry to the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the case. The Cibola Citizen had not independently confirmed that request as of press time.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs previously told the Citizen that its Missing and Murdered Unit is assisting Laguna Police Department in the investigation into the disappearances of Brittany Waconda and Joel Scott. Investigators believe the two were together when they went missing.
BIA also confirmed that a fifth-wheel camper where Waconda had been living caught fire shortly after midnight May 18. The circumstances of the disappearances and the fire remain under investigation.
The investigation has involved the FBI, ATF, BIA Laguna Agency, Albuquerque Police Department, Laguna Police Department, Acoma Police Department and Sandoval County Fire & Rescue, according to BIA.
Pueblo of Laguna inhouse counsel Chad Abeyta told the Citizen that tribal officials understand the concern surrounding the case but must protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. He said anyone with information should contact Pueblo of Laguna Police Department.
As of Sept. 16, no new investigative development had been publicly announced.
Anyone with information about Waconda or Scott may contact BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit at 1-833560-2065, email OJS_MMU@bia.gov, or text BIAMMU followed by the tip to 847411.
Autumn said her goal remains unchanged: finding out what happened to her younger sister.