Merlinda Juanita Jenkins, age 57 at the time of her disappearance, was last seen in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico on December 24, 2004 . Described by official sources such as The Charley Project and The Doe Network, Jenkins stood about 5′4″ tall and weighed between 160–170 lbs, with gray or partially gray hair and brown eyes .
Her daughter reported her missing roughly six years after her disappearance; that was the first formal notification to authorities . At the time of her disappearance, Jenkins was believed to be homeless in Albuquerque. Subsequent investigation revealed that she had actually been residing primarily in Columbus, Ohio .
According to family accounts, Jenkins suffered from bipolar disorder. Her daughter noted she was unsure whether Jenkins had been consistently taking medication for the condition . No details are available about her clothing or personal items at the time she disappeared; these remain unknown .
Merlinda often used variations of her first and last name, including “Melinda Jenkins,” “Melinda Griego,” or “Linda Griego,” which may have complicated search efforts . Identifiers such as DNA and fingerprints exist though no public updates indicate whether any leads have emerged since the NamUs listing in 2017 and subsequent updates in 2018 and 2022 .
Despite the passage of time, her case remains listed as an “Endangered Missing” person case . The Albuquerque Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit, in collaboration with their Cold Case Unit, continues to handle unresolved cases like Jenkins’s, often employing periodic file reviews, re‑interviews, forensic advances, and public outreach .
To date, there have been no verified sightings or confirmed leads post‑2004. Efforts appear to rely largely on archived records, family memories, and publicly available listings such as NamUs and The Doe Network . Absent new information from the public or investigative breakthroughs, Merlinda Jenkins’s whereabouts remain unknown.
In summary: Jenkins disappeared on December 24, 2004 in Albuquerque at age 57; family reported her missing six years later. She had bipolar disorder and may have used alternate names. Although thought to be homeless locally, she had lived in Columbus, Ohio. Authorities have DNA and fingerprint records, but no confirmed sighting or resolution has emerged. Her case is still officially open under endangered missing status, and the Albuquerque PD continues to collaborate with cold‑case specialists and outreach platforms in hopes of locating her.Last Seen: Dec 24, 2004
