Final West Mesa victim identified

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Albuquerque police on Tuesday said DNA shows the final unidentified victim of the West Mesa serial murders was Jamie Barela, a 15-year-old girl reported missing in April 2004.

Barela was last seen leaving a family gathering with her cousin, Evelyn Salzar, who had earlier been identified as another victim. The two at the time were heading to a park near San Mateo and Gibson in southeast Albuquerque.

The remains of 11 women were found buried nude in a mass grave on Albuquerque's West Mesa last February. Police said the victims had been buried between 2001 and 2005.

The first 10 victims that had been identified all had histories of drug use and prostitution, according to police.

The University of North Texas helped test the DNA of the victims to help identify them.

Police have not named any suspects, but said they have zeroed in on a few people. They said they are sure the killer is not still roaming the streets.

The 118th Street Task Force is still investigating the deaths. Anybody with information that could help is asked to call the Albuquerque Police Department tip line at 1-877-SOLV-APD (1-877-765-8273).