In the winter of 2020, Melissa Manley Crabtree, a 51-year-old musician and river guide, vanished from Taos, New Mexico, leaving her community and family in a state of deep concern. The last confirmed sighting of Melissa was on February 11, 2020. Her brother officially reported her missing on February 29th, after she had been out of contact for about two weeks, which was uncharacteristic for her. At the time of her disappearance, Melissa was facing several personal challenges.
She had been diagnosed with Lyme disease years earlier, an illness that can have debilitating effects on the joints, heart, and nervous system. Compounding her physical health issues, she was also struggling with depression and was homeless, at times staying at a Salvation Army facility. Friends and family noted that she had been experiencing a mental health crisis in the period leading up to her disappearance.
A significant development in the case came on February 13, 2020, when Melissa's car was found abandoned in a parking lot near the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a location known for its height. This discovery initially led to fears that she may have harmed herself. Investigators conducted searches of the gorge rim and the river below, even employing a helicopter to scan the area, but found no trace of Melissa. Prior to her disappearance, on February 6th, Melissa had driven to the same bridge with the intention of jumping, but she reached out to an ex-girlfriend for help and was subsequently admitted to a psychiatric hospital for five days. After her release, she was reportedly struggling with the side effects of new medication.
Despite the initial fears centered on the bridge, the belief that Melissa jumped has been largely dismissed by search and rescue teams and her family as time has passed. Extensive searches of the river, even when water levels were historically low, yielded no evidence. There was a possible but unconfirmed sighting of her by a friend at the Hanuman Temple in Taos on February 23rd. This friend was certain they spent hours talking with Melissa and even received a phone call from her later that evening from an unknown number. Melissa's family has considered the possibility that she may have intentionally chosen to disappear and could be living off the grid. The case remains an active missing person investigation, a painful and unresolved chapter for those who know and love the talented and cherished member of the Taos community. The overview of the case is one of a gifted individual facing immense personal struggles who disappeared, leaving behind her vehicle in a place of natural grandeur and deep concern.Last Seen: Feb 11, 2020
