On December 25, 2022, a day typically filled with warmth and celebration, 42-year-old Orlando King vanished from Torreon, New Mexico, leaving his community and loved ones in a state of deep concern. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Orlando, who is also known by the nickname "Shorty," was seen at approximately 9:00 a.m. leaving the Torreon Store. He was later sighted at a residence in Cayaditto, about 17 miles south of the store.
Since that Christmas day, there has been no contact with him, and his whereabouts remain a painful mystery for his family. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are particularly worrying as he has unspecified mental health issues and was taking prescribed medication for them at the time he went missing.
Orlando is described as a Native American male, standing at 6'1" and weighing around 170 pounds. At the time of his disappearance, he had a shaved head, brown eyes, and a distinctive tattoo of the name "Nehemiah" in an unknown location on his body. When last seen, he was wearing a black jacket, black Dickie pants, and brown Lugz boots. The Navajo Nation Police Department's Crownpoint District is handling the investigation into his disappearance and has entered his case into the National Crime Information Center. They have appealed to the public for any information that might help locate him.
The lack of any significant leads or new information has left his family and community in a prolonged state of uncertainty. The passage of time has not diminished the hope of finding answers, but the silence and absence of Orlando are a heavy burden. The investigation by the Navajo Nation Police Department continues, and they urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information to come forward. The case of Orlando King is a somber reminder of the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the profound impact these unresolved cases have on their communities. His family awaits any news that might bring an end to their agonizing wait and provide clarity on what happened to him on that December day.Last Seen: Dec 25, 2022
