Katharina Buczek
And unfortunately, Anna’s homicide represents how countless crimes against Indigenous women are seemingly provided with less effort and media attention as opposed to white women.
This pattern continued from the start of Anna’s case investigation. Her body was found on February 3, yet investigators did not even identify her remains until February 7– despite countless social media posts reporting that Anna had been missing and murdered.
Plus, it took the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner another month to share that Anna had actually died via a gunshot wound– not the fire. It was also at this point that her death was finally declared a homicide. And in the time since these discoveries, no more progress has been made in finding Anna’s killer. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has not released any vehicle or suspect descriptions, found possible witnesses, or held a single press conference.
In fact, the type of vehicle Anna was found in– as well as who the car was registered to and what other evidence was recovered from inside– has also never been shared with the public.
So, ever since Anna’s death, her family, tribe members, and representatives of the American Indian Movement (AIM) have rallied together to make sure that Anna’s death is not forgotten. They have held marches numerous times in hopes of reminding the Sheriff’s Office, Anna’s killer, and the greater community that her case is still awaiting justice.
A month after her death, AIM also hosted a prayer circle at the Washoe County Detention Center in order to raise awareness about both Anna’s case and the unsolved cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women throughout the U.S.
“We’re trying to create awareness, to show there is accountability. Perpetrators prey on our women because they know [there is often a lack of accountability.] We want those who were responsible to be brought forward,” said AIM leader Bacasegua Valdez.
Secret Witness is now offering an increased reward of five thousand dollars to anyone with knowledge of Anna’s case. If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (775) 328-3320 or the anonymous Secret Witness tipline at (775) 322-4900.
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