The Disappearance of Pepita Madalyn Redhair in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Pepita Madalyn Redhair was a 27 year old Navajo woman from Crownpoint, New Mexico, who disappeared after traveling to Albuquerque in March 2020. She was known by relatives as a loving daughter, a caring family member and an outgoing woman who enjoyed spending time with the people closest to her. Her disappearance created a painful mystery that has remained unresolved for years.

Pepita maintained close ties with her mother, Anita King, and regularly communicated with her family. Although she spent time in Albuquerque, she continued returning to Crownpoint and remained connected to her home community. Her relatives described her as someone who normally stayed in contact and did not simply vanish without speaking to anyone.

Pepita had interests and goals for her future. She enjoyed cooking, skateboarding and meeting new people. Family members said she had once dreamed of becoming an engineer. Those who knew her remembered her as friendly, energetic and easy to talk to.

Her sudden disappearance was immediately out of character. Her family has consistently maintained that Pepita would not have willingly abandoned everyone she loved without making contact.

The Trip to Albuquerque

On March 24, 2020, Pepita traveled from Crownpoint to Albuquerque with her mother and other family members. The family drove her to the area where her boyfriend lived in the South Valley section of the city.

Pepita was dropped off near a residence in the 1000 block of Clements Street Southwest, close to 114th Street and Central Avenue. Before leaving, she hugged her mother, told her she loved her and asked her to drive home safely.

Nothing about the goodbye suggested that Pepita expected to disappear or that she believed she was in immediate danger. Her mother returned to Crownpoint believing that they would speak again soon, as they normally did.

That moment on March 24 became the last confirmed time Pepita’s family saw her in person. Although some official records list March 27, 2020, as her disappearance date, her family’s final physical contact with her occurred three days earlier.

The difference between the two dates reflects the uncertain timeline surrounding her final known movements. March 24 was the day her mother left her in Albuquerque, while March 27 was the point when the lack of communication became alarming.

The Reported Argument

According to public accounts of the case, Pepita had been staying with her boyfriend, Nicholas Kaye, at or near the Clements Street residence. He later stated that he and Pepita went out drinking and became involved in an argument.

Kaye reportedly said that Pepita left the residence after the disagreement. He claimed that she walked away and did not return.

This explanation became one of the central parts of the investigation. However, no publicly confirmed witness has established where Pepita went after she allegedly left the home. There has been no publicly released surveillance video showing her walking away, entering a vehicle or traveling to another location.

Kaye also reportedly said that he received a message from Pepita’s phone the following day. The message allegedly stated that she was with another man. He suggested that the person may have been someone they encountered while they were out.

The identity of that man has never been publicly confirmed. It is also unclear who actually wrote the message or whether investigators were able to verify that Pepita personally sent it.

The absence of confirmed evidence surrounding the argument and the alleged message has left many questions unanswered. Pepita’s family has expressed doubts about the explanation that she simply walked away and started a new life.

Concerns About the Relationship

Pepita’s family has said that her relationship with Kaye had involved domestic violence. Before she disappeared, Pepita reportedly told her mother that he had been drinking heavily and physically assaulting her.

Her mother encouraged her to return to Crownpoint, where she would be surrounded by relatives and people who cared about her. Pepita reportedly believed that the problems would improve and remained in Albuquerque.

Family members also said that Pepita had suffered injuries before she vanished. She was reportedly treated for head contusions approximately one week before her disappearance. The exact circumstances surrounding those injuries have not been publicly established.

Police were also reportedly called to previous domestic disturbances involving the couple. The family believes this history should be considered when examining what may have happened during Pepita’s final days in Albuquerque.

No one has been convicted or publicly identified by law enforcement as responsible for her disappearance. The concerns raised by the family remain allegations and suspicions rather than proven legal findings.

Even so, the reports of violence have caused relatives to question whether the final argument may have been more serious than originally described.

The Sudden Silence

Pepita normally communicated with her mother frequently. Her family said she often called every day, making her sudden silence especially alarming.

On March 27, 2020, Anita tried to contact Pepita but received no response. The lack of communication was unusual and immediately caused concern.

As the hours passed without a call or message, the family’s fear grew. Pepita had not informed anyone that she planned to travel, stay with another person or stop communicating.

Her relatives continued calling and sending messages, hoping she would respond. Instead, her phone eventually became part of one of the most troubling details in the case.

On March 30, 2020, a man reportedly answered or responded from Pepita’s phone. He claimed that someone had sold the device to him.

The identity of the person who allegedly possessed the phone has not been publicly explained. It is unknown who sold it, how the seller obtained it or where the transaction occurred.

Pepita’s family was alarmed that her phone appeared to have changed hands only days after she vanished. The device could have contained location records, messages, photographs, social media activity and other information capable of revealing her final movements.

Public reports have not clearly established whether police recovered the phone or conducted a complete forensic examination. The uncertainty surrounding the device remains one of the most important unresolved aspects of the case.

Difficulty Filing a Missing Person Report

Pepita disappeared during the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, when government agencies, businesses and communities were responding to widespread restrictions and uncertainty.

Her mother said she attempted to report Pepita missing shortly after losing contact. However, she encountered confusion over which police department was responsible for taking the report.

Because Pepita was from Crownpoint, Anita was reportedly directed toward the Navajo Police Department. However, Crownpoint authorities indicated that Albuquerque police had jurisdiction because Pepita was last seen within the city.

The family said they were passed between agencies at a time when every hour mattered. This delay created frustration and may have affected the ability to immediately interview witnesses, collect surveillance footage and search locations connected to Pepita.

Some reports indicate that Anita attempted to report her daughter missing on March 28, 2020. Other records indicate that Kaye formally reported Pepita missing on April 19, 2020.

The apparent gap between the family’s initial concern and the formal report has never been fully explained. It may reflect separate calls, attempted reports or the date that the case was officially entered into the system.

Whatever the reason, Pepita’s loved ones believe the early response was too slow.

The Effect of the Pandemic

The timing of Pepita’s disappearance created additional obstacles. In March 2020, New Mexico and much of the country were entering lockdown conditions because of COVID 19.

In person interviews were limited, offices were closed or operating under restrictions and many communities discouraged travel. These conditions made it more difficult for Pepita’s family to repeatedly travel between Crownpoint and Albuquerque.

Investigators were also adapting to new safety procedures. Pepita’s family said some interviews were handled by telephone instead of in person, reducing the opportunity for detailed face to face conversations.

Businesses near the location where Pepita was last seen may have had limited operations. Streets were quieter, potential witnesses were staying home and normal community activity was disrupted.

Surveillance footage is often automatically erased after a set period. If investigators were unable to quickly identify and obtain video from nearby homes, stores or traffic cameras, important evidence may have been lost.

The pandemic also limited organized searches. Family members could not easily gather large groups, distribute flyers or hold public events without concerns about health restrictions.

Pepita’s relatives believe the unusual circumstances allowed valuable time to pass before the case received the attention it deserved.

The Family Begins Its Own Search

With few immediate answers, Pepita’s family began searching on its own. Relatives printed missing person flyers and distributed them throughout Albuquerque and surrounding communities.

They spoke with people on buses, walked through neighborhoods and visited areas where Pepita might have been seen. Family members repeatedly returned to the neighborhood near Clements Street in hopes that someone would remember something important.

They also searched places associated with Pepita, her boyfriend and people she may have known. Each possible sighting created hope, but none led to her recovery.

Her mother continued making public appeals and asking anyone with information to speak with police. The family attended events connected to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives movement.

Pepita’s disappearance became another example of the difficulties faced by Indigenous families seeking urgent attention for missing loved ones.

Relatives said they often felt responsible for keeping the case visible because public interest and media coverage were limited during the earliest months.

Unequal Media Attention

Pepita’s case received increased attention in 2021 after the highly publicized disappearance of Gabby Petito. The extensive national coverage of that case caused many Indigenous families to question why missing Native women received far less attention.

Pepita’s relatives organized a rally in Albuquerque in October 2021. They used the event to call for greater police accountability, more media coverage and renewed investigative efforts.

Her family said it was painful to watch another disappearance receive immediate international attention while Pepita’s case had struggled to gain even local recognition.

The issue was not about taking attention away from another victim. Instead, the family wanted the same urgency, compassion and resources to be applied to Pepita and other missing Indigenous people.

Following increased publicity, investigators reportedly contacted the family for additional interviews. The renewed attention helped place Pepita’s name before a larger audience, but it did not solve the case.

Questions About Pepita’s Phone

The reported sale of Pepita’s phone remains one of the most confusing parts of the timeline.

If the phone was sold shortly after March 24, investigators would need to determine who possessed it before the sale, who completed the transaction and whether Pepita was present.

Phone records could potentially show outgoing messages, incoming calls, location data and connections to nearby wireless towers. Social media and application records might also reveal whether the device remained active after Pepita disappeared.

It is unclear whether the message stating that Pepita was with another man was written before or after the phone allegedly changed hands. It is also unknown whether the writing style, timing or location of that message matched Pepita’s normal habits.

If another person had control of the phone, that individual could have sent messages designed to create the impression that Pepita had left voluntarily.

On the other hand, if Pepita sent the message herself, investigators would still need to identify the man she referenced and determine where they went.

The lack of publicly released forensic information has prevented the family and public from understanding whether the phone produced useful evidence.

The Search for Witnesses

The area where Pepita was last seen includes homes, businesses, parking lots and streets connected to Central Avenue. Someone may have seen her walking, entering a vehicle or speaking with another person.

Investigators have likely sought information from neighbors, acquaintances and individuals who spent time with Pepita and Kaye. However, the public record contains few details about witness interviews.

Because several days passed before the case gained momentum, witnesses may have forgotten specific details. The pandemic also meant fewer people were outside than usual.

A vehicle seen in the area, an argument heard from a nearby property or a person using Pepita’s phone could provide important information.

Even details that appeared insignificant at the time could help investigators reconstruct the timeline. The family continues to ask anyone who was in the area on or after March 24, 2020, to reconsider what they may have seen.

Renewed Interest in the Case

Years after Pepita disappeared, journalists and private investigators continued examining the case. A multipart television investigation released in 2025 reported that a private investigator had developed additional information.

The reporting indicated that attention had expanded to include two other men who may have been connected to Pepita’s final days. Their names and the exact nature of the information were not publicly explained.

The development suggested that investigators were continuing to examine possibilities beyond the original account of Pepita walking away from the residence.

Pepita’s family has continued expressing suspicion that Kaye may know more than he has disclosed. However, police have not publicly charged him or identified him as a suspect.

The private investigation has kept the case active in the public eye, but the newly reported findings have not produced a publicly announced arrest or recovery.

Pepita’s Physical Description

At the time of her disappearance, Pepita was 27 years old. She stood approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed about 141 pounds.

She had brown hair and brown eyes. She was reportedly last seen wearing skinny jeans, a black shirt and black shoes.

Pepita had several distinctive tattoos that could help identify her. These included a dinosaur tattoo on her right forearm, a koi fish tattoo on her left forearm and a butterfly tattoo on one of her shoulders.

She also had the word Redhair tattooed on one of her legs. Family members described two noticeable beauty marks on her chin.

Her appearance may have changed over time, but her tattoos and other identifying features remain important.

A Family Waiting for Answers

Pepita’s mother has remained one of the strongest voices calling for answers. She has attended rallies, spoken with journalists, distributed flyers and repeatedly asked law enforcement to continue investigating.

Pepita’s room at the family home has reportedly been preserved, reflecting the hope that she may one day return.

Her family continues living with uncertainty. They do not know whether Pepita is alive, whether she was harmed or where she may be located.

The lack of a body, arrest or confirmed explanation prevents them from grieving in the same way as a family that knows what happened. Every unanswered telephone call and unverified sighting adds to the emotional burden.

Relatives have emphasized that Pepita is more than a missing person photograph. She is a daughter, loved one and member of the Navajo Nation whose life deserves attention.

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis

Pepita’s disappearance is often discussed within the larger crisis involving missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Native families frequently report difficulties involving jurisdiction, limited police resources, delayed investigations and inadequate media attention. Cases may involve tribal, city, county, state and federal agencies, creating confusion over responsibility.

Pepita disappeared in Albuquerque but came from Crownpoint, a Navajo community. The initial uncertainty over jurisdiction demonstrates how quickly families can become trapped between agencies.

Advocates argue that law enforcement departments need stronger communication, standardized reporting systems and immediate procedures for responding to missing Indigenous people.

Families also want media organizations to treat Indigenous cases with the same urgency given to disappearances involving victims who receive greater national attention.

Pepita’s case has become part of that broader call for change.

The Unanswered Questions

Many questions remain about what happened after Pepita was dropped off on March 24, 2020.

It is unknown whether she remained at the residence throughout the evening or left with another person. There is no publicly confirmed account of where she went after the reported argument.

It is unclear who possessed her phone, who allegedly sold it and who sent the message claiming she was with another man.

Investigators have not publicly explained whether they recovered surveillance footage, located the alleged man or established a final confirmed phone location.

The full circumstances of Pepita’s reported injuries before her disappearance also remain uncertain.

The family wants to know why the formal investigation appears to have started weeks after their initial concern and whether evidence was lost during that delay.

Until those questions are answered, the disappearance remains a mystery.

The Continuing Search for Pepita

Pepita Madalyn Redhair remains missing. No confirmed sighting has established that she left Albuquerque, and no publicly released evidence proves that she voluntarily disappeared.

Her family continues to believe that someone knows what happened. They hope that changing relationships, the passage of time or a guilty conscience may eventually cause a witness to come forward.

A person who heard a conversation, saw a vehicle or received information from someone connected to the case could hold the missing piece.

Even after years, cold cases can be solved through renewed interviews, improved technology and forensic review of digital evidence.

Pepita’s loved ones continue asking law enforcement to examine every lead and reconsider evidence collected during the original investigation.

A Case That Must Not Be Forgotten

The disappearance of Pepita Madalyn Redhair on March 24, 2020, remains an unresolved tragedy for her family and community.

She was last seen in Albuquerque after being dropped off at or near her boyfriend’s residence. Within days, she stopped communicating, her phone reportedly changed hands and her family struggled to obtain an immediate investigative response.

The beginning of the pandemic complicated searches, interviews and public outreach. Jurisdictional confusion may have delayed important actions during the earliest days.

Despite years of advocacy, renewed media attention and private investigative work, Pepita has not been found. No one has been arrested, and law enforcement has not publicly announced a definitive explanation.

Her family continues waiting for the call that will finally reveal what happened.

Pepita’s name remains part of the continuing movement to bring attention to missing Indigenous women and ensure that their cases are investigated with urgency.

Someone may still know where she went, who she was with or what happened after the reported argument. Until that person speaks, Pepita’s loved ones will continue searching, demanding answers and refusing to let her be forgotten.