LAGUNA, N.M. –
The US Department of Justice is looking for any information related to the death of Mona Renee Vallo. Her body was discovered on March 9, authorities are investigating and seeking anyone with information to come forward. A $5,000 reward is being offered for any information that may help understand the circumstances leading to her death.
Vallo was not a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, she was a member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation in Washington State, and was an active resident of the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico.
Details in her death are scarce for now but according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Albuquerque Division, Vallo was discovered by drivers who passed by her on March 9 in the evening, her body was found just off U.S. Route 66, New Mexico Highway 124. Preliminary reports suggest that she was the victim of a hit-and-run crash that occurred around 7 p.m. on March 9.
“The deaths of too many Native American men and women remain unsolved,” said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque FBI Division. “We are working with the Pueblo of Laguna Public Safety Department to give Mona's family the justice they deserve. The public can help by contacting us if they have any information about her death.”
Vallo was an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the FBI at 505-889-1300 or go online to tips.fbi.gov. The FBI is offering a reward for information up to $5,000.