Federal investigators have found a new lead in the case of a New Mexico musician who went missing and was later found dead. Zachariah Shorty, a 23-year-old musician, disappeared from a motel recording session in Farmington, New Mexico, in July 2020. His mother, Evangeline “Vangie” Randall-Shorty, received a call from one of his friends saying that he went outside to smoke a cigarette and never returned.
After four days of being missing, Shorty’s body was discovered in a field on the Navajo Reservation, 13 miles away from where he was last seen. He had suffered gunshot wounds before being left in the field. His mother received a call from the FBI informing her of a new lead in the case, providing hope for justice.
Randall-Shorty shared that she recognized a couple of names mentioned by the FBI, and after receiving an additional tip, she passed the information along. The FBI is currently investigating the case and has not provided any comments on the matter. Shorty’s mother, along with her lawyer, Darlene Gomez, remain hopeful that the investigators will bring her son’s killer to justice.
Gomez, who is representing Randall-Shorty pro bono, mentioned that there were witnesses in the hotel room with Shorty before he went missing. Surveillance cameras from businesses along the street where the motel was located could potentially provide crucial evidence in solving the case. Despite the challenges faced, including the death of several witnesses, the family has provided numerous leads to aid in the investigation.
The FBI has jurisdiction over the case due to the location where Shorty’s remains were found. A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information that leads to a conviction in the case. Those with information are encouraged to contact the FBI at 505-889-1300 or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
The community remains hopeful that justice will be served, and the family continues to seek closure in the tragic loss of Zachariah Shorty. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of coming forward with any information that may assist in bringing perpetrators to justice and providing closure to grieving families.