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This is Fronteras, A Changing Am I'm KC Counts.

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In 1986, 14 year old Victor Trejo disappeared from Apodaca Park in Las Cruces.

He was never seen again, his body never found, and his family never got closure This case attracted the attentio Sarah Sea, who share stories like Victor's on her Sarah the C Snoop page on social media.

Sarah joins us to talk about her on this case and others.

Thank you for being with us.

Thank you.

It's nice to have you Thank you for having me.

Tell me how you came upon the case of Victor Trejo.

Like most of the cases I come across, I was just on the archive poking around.

I was looking up another case en and then the headline just bounc And so I was like, what happened And so now I'm rabbit holing over to that article.

And then it really caught my eye because that's my neighborhood.

And my kids aren't that much younger than Victor was, so, this could be me.

You're called The Cemetery Snoop And in this case there's, there' no place, because there's no bod Right.

For Victor, and you reall an interest in finding some answ for his family or at least helpi to provide some closure.

Tell us about that.

Well, obviously, I can't do much to locate Victor, but I would like for his family to have a physical place to go if they're feeling sad or for ho or if his friends who are still maybe want to sit down and have a cup of coffee, maybe they'll have a spot to do And I originally was thinking of a headstone, but unfortunately without remain the church wouldn't allow it.

So at that point I felt challeng and decided, well, we're going t do something.

And the city of Las Cruces actually has a program, for a memorial, benches and tree if you'd like to include that.

And that's actually what we sett I've been talking to Victor's sister, Sandra, and so we settled on the bench, and that's what we're hoping to eventually get for his family.

Who did you talk to in the cours your research about his case?

Not a lot because there's not a lot of people here.

I actually had a couple of peopl message me when I first put the video out and said, how did you know about Victor?

And where did you find this case And then I gave him the same ans I gave you.

And, you know, I sai you know, what do you know about Victor?

And, well, I was his friend and I was, I saw him that day.

I said goodbye, and that was the last time I saw him.

And then he didn't show up to school the next day.

Tell, tell us what you have learned about the day he disappeared All I know is that he was droppe by his mother, with friends.

They walked over to Apodaca Park and back then a lot of people hung out at Apodaca Park.

So, you know, it's not like it i It was actually the hangout spot He was seen going into the bathroom, and then no one saw him again, and that was You talked to people who knew him or outside of his family?

I only talked to maybe two that have reached out to me.

I've actually had comments, and that's actually the one of t interesting parts of all of this when I put a video out, I'll get comments from people who were there or who sat next to him in class or, or were his neighbor.

And so it's interesting to see that perspective as well.

So I did get to see a lot of com but really just two people who r and said that they knew him pers In your video, you say that on t he had just seen his probation o So this was perhaps a troubled y and I want to ask, you know, how much you think you know that played into the way the case played out?

I personally think it really pla a big role into how it played ou some people will see a troubled and just say, well, that's what That's what happens when you're in that kind of crowd and I disa He was just a 14 year old child.

It really doesn't matter who his friends were.

So that's why I would like to kind of reframe this as he wasn't just a trouble he was a 14 year old child of a and he had siblings, and he had and he had schoolmates that miss What, in our brief conversations before today, it seems like the trauma is stil fresh for his family members.

Tell me about your conversations with them.

Well, I've mostly just been spea with his sister, Sandra, and, she's been very helpful.

She's been giving whatever information that she does have.

But it is it's it's a struggle for his entire family.

And it's triggering, you know, just having to go thro pictures to try and find other p because I was trying to stay awa from the main picture that was going around and trying to find some other pictures of him.

And just that process is difficult.

And which is understandable.

So that's why I'm happy to speak for Sandra for and the family and get the word out there for them.

This is a 40 year old case.

In the decades that have passed, do they still hold out hope to l anything about his disappearance I think they do.

I actually, actually I know they I've had comments from, again, I don't know if it was a family or just a loved one, but somebod who knew him from back then and that person themselves are holding out hope.

They say, I don't want anyone to he's gone because he may come ba So there are people that hold ou We did reach out to the Las Cruc Police Department to see where their investigation and to offer them the opportunit to provide any information that might be helpful or might be, worthwhile to share, to the general public.

In the meantime, though, what do the acquisition of this bench would mean to the family?

I think that it would give them a little bit of closure.

Obviously, it's not going to rep Victor, but just to go somewhere and see his name in a plaque, and have a physical place to go if it's his birthday, or if you're just feel and want to feel closer to him, that would make a world of diffe for them, absolutely.

How did you get interested in this whole area?

You call yourself the cemetery Snoop?

Why?

Im nosy.

I'm a nosy person, and I'm interested in history.

It started off with me being interested in famous headstones.

Marilyn Monroe, all the famous LA stars and I have quite a collection of photos for that.

You came to Las Cruces from California?

I did.

Right, s so that's where you started snooping around in cemeteries?

Yeah, exactly started snooping a cemeteries there, and, but it's not really snooping because, you know, tourists do t But when I came out here, it's l you know, people look at me like what are you doing?

There's not a lot of people that are looking around cemeteri that are 150 years old and whatn So I just, I just thought of the word snoop.

It's better than being nosy, I guess, and then outside of that, history side of it, the grief side of it, because I'm standing next to this person that I grew up watching movies of, and, you know there's a person right there, and it's just the and it's just the human side of it.

So when I came to New Mexico and there's just a plethora of history, and the cemeteries that hold this, those same people is just is so amazing to me.

And it's just it never stops, there's so much to see.

You mentioned your own grief, and so you made it in terms of what you felt for peopl that meant a lot to you from the time on the big screen?

Right.

Or the small screen.

That's wher it started, but I also, I lost my dad and I lost my brother.

And I've recently lost close fri And just the grief process itself is really unique.

And it's also, I've learned, really validating to have people around you saying, yeah, that hurts.

Let me help you process it.

So, that's where it also kind of So when you came to Las Cruces, where was the first place you visited?

The Masonic Cemeter And that's because that's exactl where we lived next to, we moved right at the pandemic, quite literally in February of 2020.

So we didn't know anybody out here.

We moved out here so we were closer to my husband's family in El Paso.

And, so everything was closed.

It's the pandemic.

We can't meet friends, we can't go check out establishm So we're right next to the Mason And I look up, who's famous ther Probably nobody, we're in New Mexico, oh, Pat Garrett's there, so, okay.

And then that's where that started, and it's like our backyard, it has trees and birds and we lo So I just got to know all the different graves around there.

And so where did you branch out from there?

Well from there, I guess true crime, because I was really interested in Cricket Coogler, who was buried there, and I wanted to know more.

So I'm like, well, where was she found?

And then so now I go to the exact spot where I, where I find out that she's been found and, and now I want to find out more.

So people probably know who are watching, know a lot about Pat Garrett.

They may or may not know a whole lot about Cricket Coogler.

So talk a little bit about her c So Cricket Coogler, was a murder victim from the 40s.

And there's a lot of conspiracie there as to who could have done But it exposed a lot of police corruption from the day.

And so it caused a chain reaction.

But nonetheless, nobody was ever charged with Cricket's murder.

So it's become a mystery ever since, and so.

Why did you decide to start sharing your content that you were creat or the things you were learning on social media?

Well, once I wrote my book, I was like, you know, maybe I should open up a social media to promote it.

I didn't have any expectations a I was hoping to maybe have 100 people on there, and that was it And when I put my pictures on th I decided to upload a couple short videos of interesting graves that would be visiting, the hermit, for instance.

So I did that, and I saw how popular it was getting, and how people wanted to learn more.

And I've actually had requests.

I want to know more about what happens in Mesilla.

So, well me to, so I researched Mesilla.

You have a kind of a list of gui for people who follow you on soc in terms of kind of what your ca and what, what expectation shoul So can you say how many requests you've received, since you came to Las Cruces, fo Well, I can say I've 30 open one I have done 6 or 7 online ones o And those ones are more like family members saying my so or my nephew, or my mother, and those ones are a little bit more personal to people so, I do those one special and they end up being just as popular as the ones for Pat Garrett and whatnot, because people recognize these people.

Oh, I know that person.

I bought burgers from that woman or, this person was our farmer.

There's everybody can relate to these people in one way or an What do you think it is about the true crime, the relation, ju just the network of people that they know someone involved in th Or do you think there's somethin to the interest in this genre?

You know, it really depends on the situation.

And I think that there's a lot o that only a little bit gets repo So you don't know what the full story is or you don't have a different perspective of it.

So when I do my videos, I always show the gravestones, or where they're, ashes are wher their final resting place is on Because this isn't just somethin you see on Unsolved Mysteries, or any other true crime story.

This is, this is where it happen and this is where they are now.

This is where their headstone is so it's personal.

I will, show the book.

Sarah the Cemetery Snoop, Head Over Heels Under Headstones.

Yes.

And on the headstone on the on the cover, here lies my sense of direction.

Yes.

What, what's the inspiration for I get lost all the time, especially out here.

When I go to El Paso and go to Mount Carmel Cemetery, I almost end up in Mexico.

I just, that's just me.

Well, all of us have at one time or another I think.

I hear that.

By accident usually.

Yes.

Well, you know, depends on if you grew up here.

Yeah.

No, but yeah, yeah.

So, so tell us what else that yo people to follow you to know about in terms of interacting wi and what kind of cases you would be willing to go look So I do have guidelines.

I don't do any kind of ongoing case for obvious reasons.

I don't want to interrupt the current investigation or cau any kind of problems for court o and it's a little bit too fresh.

I'm very oriented when it comes to the victims and victims famil I usually end up working with them or talking with them either before or after the video So I try to not sensationalize on the fact, like, I know this i so I'm gonna cover this now.

I don't do that.

I do old cases and I try to keep fresh in people's minds just to this happened, it's uncomfortabl but their story still deserves t What kind of response have you gotten from people who, whose stories you've looked into For their stories?

I have 98% gotten great response Some people are shocked that it even comes up after several decades, and a lot of people are thankful I've only had one family be like and it was actually a case from several decades ago that I didn't think that anybody would be around for.

So I've only had that happen one time, where a family did say, can you take the video down?

And I absolutely will.

And I have.

So the socials came actually after the book?

Oh, yes.

Yeah.

Tell me about the process of writing the book.

You know, writing the book, I just did it on my phone.

It's really just I decided to ge my pictures together and decide to tell some of the funny stories of how I got to get some of thos pictures, like Elizabeth Taylor' area is heavily security, heavily guarded, and so you can't take pictures.

You have to be really cautious about, you have to be quiet, basically watch it and go.

And I wanted my picture, I want my video.

So I was talking about my experi trying to sneak my camera and leaving the sound on and making a fool of myself.

But I got my picture, so.

So yeah, it's just a little funn stories like that.

What do you hope that people wil take away from the book?

I really hope that people will s and really go to cemeteries sometime, and really look around and view the people there, because they all have such interesting stories.

It's if you really stop and pay attention.

This all kind of also started from Find a Grave, because I was so close to the cemetery, I would get requests because I have the app for photo so I would take a picture, and someone who is in New York is so thankful because they're n to go to New Mexico to see a pic of their great grandmother's hea So it's so easy for me, but for them, it's it means the So it kind of evolved from that to the videos.

Do you ever get tired of it?

No, no, I love it.

Yeah, you think You'll keep, keep doing it for a long time?

As long as I can.

Yeah I know it is a little bit, It does take a lot, it takes a lot to do a video but you know And, and the emotions.

I mean you know, that's something that you take p with people who you're talking t So how do you handle the emotional side of it?

You know, just like any grieving person, I mean, something bad happened and they're grieving a loss.

So I really just to speak to that with them.

And like I said, I've worked with well, I've spoken with a lot of victims families.

I have worked with a couple before on a video, and it's just a whole other side.

And you can you don't just see what you see on the news or in the newspaper, you get to hear their pain and it just brings that whole human side to it.

I was, snooping on your social, I noticed a conversation between you and a local photogra about going into the bowling alley on Amador, and obviously, that infamous, tragic mass shooting in Las Cruces, that happened in the 90s.

What do you think, you know, what's your interest level in lo that case and sharing stories ab Because it is so kind of ubiquit for Las Crucens.

You know, I think that we should really repaint what happened, not repaint what happened, but we really need to, close it up.

Either do something with it or turn it into something beauti But really it's just it's sittin and it's just an empty space of terrible energy.

So I, I agree with that photographer, and I think that we should do something abou and do something with that space Either make it something great w a memorial to the victims that d or something.

But one thing you hear, over and over again, regardless of what case it is, is that ther be somebody who knows something.

Exactly.

And so all these decade go by and you think, you know, as time goes on, those people, the odds are greater, they're, they're not around anymore.

Righ What, what, how what do you expe at the bowling alley?

And when should we look for something from you?

Oh, gosh.

You know, that was just like a b new concept, so I don't even kno I'm willing to listen to ideas b I have a couple, but I don't kno it's really about what the community wants because 1 or 2 people can want something, we all have to drive by that spa Well, yeah.

And, it's something that when yo I think that you can't help but think about it.

And especially to see the bowlin you know, sitting there empty, b Right?

Yes.

Speaking of spaces, the space that we're in right now is one that, you're looking into as wel Yes.

So tell us about your, trek over to the studios of KRWG.

Well, we mean, with the, with the content?

Ralph Willis Goddard.

Oh, so, ok.

So that's what the RWG, in KRWG stands for.

So I actually had that suggested because I also do dabble in some paranormal stories.

And so I've actually heard of a couple ghost stories.

And I had someone suggest, will you look at the radio ghost And I get a lot of vague stories, suggestions like that.

So I looked it up and I saw that there was more than one.

So, I had to separate the two and I, I figured out what was what.

And it is, it's, it's super interesting.

Just, the fact that he was such a prominent figure when it came to radio and how he died so suddenly, to the point where his feet were imprinted on the floor, And that would be in the transmi So for our audience that may not there is a documentary on our we you could watch about it.

I haven't even known about that.

Okay, good to know, yes.

And so there are reportings that that he haunts that area.

And so and honestly, the comments I'm getting collaborates that story.

Well, Sarah Sea, what's next for you that you want to le our viewers with in terms of whether it's about, getting Victor Trejo's family a bench at the cemetery or what you'd like for people to know about you as you continu Well, I am doing a bi-weekly column in the Las Cruces Sun, so I've been just writing about different cases that and that are in the past that relate to now.

So that's been really fun.

I just started doing that.

When it comes to Victor's case, I'm not stopping until we get to So there is a Go Fund Me for Vic and we are hoping to raise enoug money to get him a bench.

His family is still deciding where to put it.

They are not choosing to do it at the park so we are going to see what's next for that.

All right, Sarah Sea, Sarah the Cemetery Snoop, thank you so much for coming and sharing a little bit about your work with us.

Thank you.

We appreciate it.

Thank you.

And recently, some Las Cruces high school students were honore as the Mayor's Top Teens.

KRWG Public Media's membership coordinator Liz Liano talked with each one o including Mayfield graduate Charlotte Dennis.

Hi, welcome to Mayor's Top Teens.

I'm Liz Liano with KRWG Public Media and today we're going to be talking to Charlotte Dennis.

Hi and welcome Charlotte and congratulations for being a Mayor's Top Teen.

Thank you so much.

It's such an honor to be here.

It's wonderful to have you.

So Charlotte, tell us some of the wonderful activities and extracurriculars that you've been working on.

Right now, I'm currently involved in HOSA, mock trial, student government, MESA, cross-country, wrestling, and then track.

That is quite an extensive list.

Let's zoom in on some of those.

What is HOSA?

HOSA stands for HOSA FHP, which stands for HOSA Future Health Professionals.

It's a professional organization primed to developing the future medical leaders of our world.

We host a lot of competitions regional, state and international competitions where our members can compete in skills such as nursing, CPR, or even skills such as medical law.

I currently compete in medical law.

And it's just a way to develop people's medical skills and get them prepared for their future jobs.

Wow.

That is, that is pretty comprehensive.

So you said you're, you're concentrating in medical law?

Yes.

And is that what you want to go into in the future?

Kind of sorta.

I want to be a child advocacy lawyer, so it's like, a more extreme social worker.

I really want to work with children who have been abused or neglected.

I want to help them get out of bad situations, and I really want to defend them in, in trials.

Wow.

That is, really wonderful, Charlotte.

So, okay.

Jumping back a couple steps.

You want to be in HOSA?

You want to, look at the medical law?

One of your activities was track?

Yes.

Yes.

So you're an athlete?

What is your, event in track?

I'm a distance runner, so I kind of bounced between doing the 800, the mile, and then the two mile.

Right now, my favorite event right now is probably the two mile.

Wow.

That's wonderful.

How do you keep up your endurance for two miles?

I pace myself, I use my Fitbit, and then I also have a pacing partner that I work with.

We run really close to each other for the whole race.

And at the end, we just kind of, like, race each other out.

Wow.

That's, literally going the distance.

Wonderful.

So what school do you want to end up attending?

In the fall, I'll be attending NMSU and getting my bachelor's in social work.

Wow.

Very nice.

So you want to stay here in Las Cruces?

I'm kind of back and forth and staying in New Mexico.

I know I want to attend law scho out of state to get a JD-MD, dual degree.

So I may have to go to, like, an Ohio college for that kind of degree.

but I may end up back in New Mexico since I know there's lots of jobs regarding social work.

Very nice yes, we do definitely need a lot of social workers here a lot of, wonderful, skilled kind, caring social worker, wonderful, Charlotte, Is there anything else you'd like to share with us about your activities or extracurriculars?

Right now, I currently serve as the New Mexico HOSA State President.

This is my second year as a state officer.

Last year, I served as the vice President of Communications, so I manage the social media.

But this year I kind of like manage everything.

It's been super fun.

I love representing all of our New Mexico, some members on the state and international level.

And HOSA just been one of the organizations I've been with all four years of high school.

So it's just a great experience.

That's wonderful Charlotte.

It's, glad to hear you're doing so much in the community and among your peers.

So thank you for sharing all that with us.

Once again, congratulations on being a Mayors Top Teen.

Thank you.

Our thanks to Liz Liano and Charlotte Dennis.

And thank you for watching and f supporting local programing like You can watch episodes of all ou local programs at KRWG.org where you can also sign up to receive the airwaves, our monthly TV programing guide Up to two weeks before the start of the month.