A new structure was unveiled recently at Women’s Memorial Park to honor the 11 women discovered buried in the West Mesa more than a decade ago.
The case remains unsolved, but the victims are not forgotten.
“We’re honoring these young ladies and letting everyone know that we haven’t forgotten about them,” Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Peña said at the dedication, quoted by KRQE. “And that we still need to recognize that we still have some of these issues that are prevalent in our city or state or country or nation, all over across the world.”
Eleven towering “petals” represent the 11 women and the unborn child. The petals circle a concrete foundation where the words “keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through” are inscribed.
Family members of victims are thankful their loved ones haven’t been forgotten.
“This is the happiest day, watching all this and not forgetting and the memories of my daughter being recognized,” Eleanor Griego, the mother of Julie Nieto, one of the victims found in the West Mesa 13 years ago, told KRQE.
Griego still recalls the bittersweet day she learned of her daughter’s death.
“The day that they came and told me they found her it was more like a relief that there I don’t have to do waiting no more,” Griego said. “The monkeys off my shoulder now that weight on my shoulder, sort of heavy.”
The investigation into the murders continues, the KRQE report said. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina noted that his department has three suspects.