Trail of missing teacher growing cold

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - More than three weeks since an Albuquerque public school teacher vanished leaving few traces and no significant leads, her family and friends are now relying on help from the media.

Ellen Roth disappeared on May 3, according to police. Her co-workers called Roth's relatives when the 61-year-old didn't show up to work at Chelwood Elementary for three days.

"Trying to get her picture out as much as possible and doing all that I can do," said the missing woman's niece, Jessica Feder. "I don't know what else that I can do."

Feder hopes missing-person fliers showing the reading teacher can draw in any tips about her disappearance. The week that Roth was reported missing her co-workers and former students posted the fliers all over town including at Garcia's Kitchen restaurant where she was a regular customer.

"We have regular customers that are usually here once a week, and she would be one of the customers," restaurant manager Samira Ahady said.

Police said a search of Roth's condo didn't turn up any clues and neither did a combing of her van, which was found abandoned at a Southeast Heights apartment parking lot one week after she went missing. A police report said the key was in the ignition and the license plates had been removed and switched with someone else's.

"We need to find out how it got there, how it got across town, if she drove it across town, if someone else drove it across town," Feder said. "We're relying on the community to help us find out what's happened to her."

While police told KRQE News 13 they don't have much to go on, others have theories.

The person who filed the missing person's report told detectives a relative of Roth's, with a history of abusing and threatening her, "might've done something to...Roth...knowing he was going back to jail."

The day before the teacher vanished she called police and accused the close family member of stealing her credit card. The relative admitted to the theft, according to police reports.

But police said the relative Roth reported has a solid alibi. Still investigators said at this point they haven't ruled anyone out as persons of interest.

Roth taught at Chelwood for 25 years, and her family said she'd never disappear on her own. They also said she would never leave behind her two dogs, which were found in her condo unattended.

"I don't know what to think anymore," Feder said. "I'm trying to be hopeful; the more time goes by the worse it gets."

Anyone with information on this case can call the Albuquerque Police Department at its non-emergency number 505-242-COPS (505-242-2677).