In the quiet city of Farmington, New Mexico, concern grew for 29-year-old Remus Yazzie, a member of the Navajo Nation, after he was last seen in early 2022. There are conflicting dates regarding his last known contact, with some agencies citing January 5, 2022, and others January 24, 2022. On January 5th, he was dropped off on Dustin Avenue in Farmington. He sent a text message to his mother that day, letting her know he was on his way to a funeral in Gallup with a friend.
This was the last time his family ever heard from him. It was later learned that on that same day, he had been a passenger in a car accident in the nearby community of Kirtland and was taken to the San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. He was officially discharged from the hospital on January 6, 2022, which marked his last confirmed sighting. At the time of his disappearance, Remus was wearing a gray "Dallas" pullover and a black beanie. He is described as being 6'0" tall and weighing 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has distinctive tattoos, including the words "Skate N Destroy" on the left side of his neck and an image of Snoopy on his doghouse on his right forearm.
For nearly a year, Remus's whereabouts remained a complete mystery, leaving his family and community searching for answers. The case took a grim turn on January 2, 2023, when a local pet dog brought a human hand to its owner. A few days later, a pathology report from the University of New Mexico confirmed the hand belonged to Remus Yazzie. This discovery prompted an immediate response from law enforcement. Investigators from the Farmington Police Department initiated a search in the area where the dog had been, even utilizing an Apple AirTag that was on the dog to retrace its path, but their efforts did not yield any further discoveries at that time. The area searched was near the A1 Salvage Shop, where Remus was reportedly living when he vanished.
The discovery of Remus's hand confirmed the worst fears of his loved ones and shifted the focus of the investigation, with authorities stating that foul play is suspected in his case. In the months that followed, additional searches were organized. The Navajo Nation Police, along with 4Corners Search and Rescue, conducted extensive searches in June and July of 2023. These efforts included a nine-mile search along the San Juan River, east of the salvage shop, and a seven-mile boat search on the river itself. Despite these renewed efforts, no further remains were located. There have been some public reports of confusion and contradictory information between the different law enforcement agencies involved in the search efforts. The Farmington Police Department considers the investigation to be a cold case, and anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Remus Yazzie is encouraged to contact them at 599-1070. The case remains an overview of a young man who disappeared after what seemed like ordinary circumstances, which later took a dark turn with a tragic discovery that has left more questions than answers and a family still waiting for justice.Last Seen: Jan 5, 2022
