Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Peña attended a private blessing ceremony on Sept. 16 at the location where Kee Thompson and Allison Gorman were murdered in 2014. Notably, Peña played a pivotal role in the City of Albuquerque's acquisition of this site situated at Central Avenue and 60th Street NW, according to a press release.
Peña is dedicated to enhancing the site's amenities, which will encompass the installation of a portable building for a nonprofit organization and the establishment of a memorial in honor of Gorman and Thompson. Her ongoing efforts aim to transform this location into a meaningful space within the community, according to the release.
“It was a privilege to be with Kee Thompson’s family today,” Peña said. “It’s important that the lives of Kee Thompson and Allison Gorman are remembered and honored. A devastating act occurred at this site, and we’re working to ensure this is a positive and healing space in the future.”
Peña represents District 3, encompassing the Southwest Mesa and parts of the South Valley in Albuquerque. She served as council president in 2019 and currently chairs the Committee of the Whole. Peña has a strong community presence, having been the president of the Southwest Alliance of Neighbors (SWAN), an organization uniting 14 neighborhood associations dedicated to community improvement. She previously served as the executive director for the West Central Community Development Group (WCCDG), playing a pivotal role in the revitalization of Route 66 in Albuquerque's Westside. Her community involvement extends to memberships in the Alamosa Neighborhood Association, the West Central Merchants (honorary) and the New Mexico Family Living Providers. Additionally, she has served as a City of Albuquerque Environmental planning commissioner, according to the city of Albuquerque.