On the night of July 4, 2002, 44-year-old Laverda Sorrell, a Diné mother of three, celebrated her 15th wedding anniversary with dinner in Gallup, New Mexico. Later that night, her husband said he dropped her off at her workplace in Fort Defiance, Arizona. She was never seen again.
For more than two decades, her family has lived in the shadow of unanswered questions. Why would Laverda go to her office at 11:30 p.m. on a holiday? Who was the last person to truly see her? And how did a case with so many red flags fade into silence for over twenty years?
For years, the case sat stagnant. The family felt ignored, like their calls for help were echoing into the void. Laverda’s disappearance isn’t just an individual tragedy — it’s a reflection of a system that still fails far too many Indigenous families.
Laverda’s case remains unsolved. The FBI continues to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
If you know anything about the disappearance of Laverda Sorrell, please contact the FBI Albuquerque Field Office at (505) 889-1300 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Listen, share, and help keep her story alive.
To learn more about Laverda's case, and to see the resources used to create this episode, check out our Blog Here.
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