On a day that began like any other, June 3, 2018, 59-year-old Julia Vicente disappeared from the familiar surroundings of Shiprock, New Mexico. A member of the Navajo Nation, Julia was a mother to six children and a grandmother to ten, deeply rooted in her community where she had lived most of her life. That afternoon, her husband dropped her off about a mile from their home so she could visit a friend.
Julia, who often took walks to help with her arthritis, was expected to return home before dark as she usually did. When she failed to come back that evening, her family grew deeply concerned, as it was uncharacteristic for her to be out of contact. She has not been seen or heard from since.
At the time of her disappearance, Julia was wearing a white shirt with light blue sleeves, blue jeans, and a green coat with a brown lining and a "fox" label on its left side. She was also wearing white Skechers brand sneakers and may have had on bear claw earrings with small turquoise stones. Julia is described as being 5 feet tall and weighing 110 pounds, with shoulder-length brown hair that has white strands and brown eyes. She has several distinguishing physical features, including arthritis in her left fingers, a small brown mole on the right side of her neck, and a corn on her right small toe. She also has a half-inch scar on her back, a scar above her right eye, and another on the back of her head. Although she requires prescription eyeglasses, she did not have them with her when she went missing.
The years following Julia's disappearance have been filled with uncertainty and sorrow for her family. They do not believe she would have willingly abandoned them. Her daughter has spoken about the ongoing pain of not knowing what happened, expressing hope that one day they will find answers. The Navajo Nation Police Department in the Shiprock District, along with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, are investigating her case, which remains open. The case of Julia Vicente is a heartbreaking example of the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, leaving a family without a beloved matriarch and a community searching for closure. Her loved ones continue to hold onto hope, pleading for any information that could help bring Julia home.Last Seen: Jun 3, 2018
