The Tragic Indigenous Murders of Rachel Sloan and Lakota Renville

Rachel Sloan and Lakota Renville were Indigenous women whose lives ended in violence, leaving their families searching for justice. Rachel’s burned remains were found in 2015 in Laytonville, California, and her case remains unsolved, overshadowed by systemic neglect that often surrounds cases involving Native women. Adding to her family’s pain, Rachel’s mother was also a homicide victim, marking a chilling pattern of violence.

In 2005, Lakota Renville’s body was discovered in a vacant lot in Independence, Missouri. Despite years of advocacy by her family and attention from Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women groups, her murder remains a cold case. Both families have tirelessly fought to keep their loved ones’ stories alive, holding vigils and pushing for leads.

These cases reflect the broader MMIW crisis, where Native women face disproportionately high rates of violence and systemic barriers to justice. Rachel and Lakota’s stories are calls to action, urging communities and policymakers to prioritize the safety and justice of Indigenous women.

Join Arlene and Leah as they share the stories of these women, the evidence, and where their cases stand today.

Show Notes: 

1. Mendocino County Homicide Victim's Mother Also Killed
2. Scene Photo Released in Hopes of Generating Leads in Cold Case
3. DNA Identifies Burned Remains as Missing Laytonville Woman
4. Who Killed Rachel Sloan?
5. Still Looking for Missing Persons in Mendocino County
6. Native Woman's Killing Remains Unsolved,
7. MMIP Series: 2005 Cold Case Murder of Indigenous Woman Lakota Renville
8. Community Marks 18 Years Since Lakota Renville Was Found Murdered in Independence
9. Relatives Search for Justice for Lakota Renville More Than 17 Years Later
10. Lakota Renville: Unsolved Case on Kansas City Crime Stoppers
11. Lakota Rae Renville
12. Independence Police Seek Tips in 2005 Cold Case Murder
13. Lakota Renville: Unsolved Homicide

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