Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP33503) and 12 other sources
Walcie Rae Downing, a 32-year-old Native American woman, was last seen on December 14, 1956, in Gallup, New Mexico. At the time of her disappearance, she was driving a cream-colored 1952 or 1954 Ford, which has never been located. Walcie, who sometimes went by her middle name "Rae," was going through a difficult period, including a broken relationship. She had five children and was last seen wearing a white blouse, blue jeans, and an engagement ring. Though some reports suggested she may have contacted her children around 1959, this has not been confirmed.

Walcie's family does not believe she would have abandoned her children, and her case remains unsolved. Some family members suspect that she may have been murdered in the area near Grants, New Mexico, possibly in the nearby lava fields known as the malpais. Her disappearance is considered suspicious, but no significant evidence has surfaced, and her case remains open over 65 years later.

Despite investigations, including DNA comparisons, no definitive leads have been found. Her case remains one of the longest-standing missing persons cases in New Mexico, illustrating the challenges in solving cold cases from earlier decades. The Gallup Police Department continues to seek information about her whereabouts.

Last Seen: Dec 14, 1956

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

79%Possible
Jane Doe — Black Hat, Arizona
UP147886 • Found Oct 8, 1979
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%Native American
Location 93%36 mi away
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.