Shawna Toya

📍 Location

📝 Description

Shawna Toya, a 40-year-old Native American woman from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, disappeared in 2021 after leaving home to run errands (including obtaining a money order and groceries). Her body was later found in her vehicle in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with authorities reporting the death as an overdose, though toxicology details were not fully released at the time. The case has become a focal point in Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons advocacy in New Mexico, with her family and community continuing to seek answers and accountability; she left with about $800 cash, and a purse with an ID from an unknown woman was found in the car. As of 2025, her death is repeatedly cited in MMIP discussions and state policy efforts.

🔍 Circumstances

Disappeared from Jemez Pueblo, NM in 2021 after leaving home at night to run errands (to buy a money order and milk, per family accounts). Her vehicle was later located in Albuquerque, NM, with her unresponsive inside; police described the death as an overdose, though a full toxicology report had not been publicly released before her body was returned to relatives. The disappearance lasted hours before discovery, and the case has been a persistent focus of MMIP advocacy.

👤 Physical Description

Female, Native American, approximately 40 years old at time of death; hair/eye color not consistently reported in sources; associated with the Jemez Pueblo community.

ℹ️ Additional Details

Authorities described the death as an overdose; however, details from toxicology were not fully released when the body was returned to family. The case has informed NM MMIP advocacy and legislative discussions, with ongoing calls for transparency, investigation, and resources for missing Indigenous relatives.

🔗 Sources (6)

👥 Community Contributions

Help improve this case by adding notes, observations, theories, or tags. Your contributions help the community understand patterns and connections.