Family seeks answers 41 years after teen’s death in New Mexico

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) –The family of a young woman whose death remains unsolved 41 years later continues to seek answers and hopefully one day justice.

On Aug. 14, 1983, the body of 17-year-old Maria Dolores Molina was found on railroad tracks near Vado, New Mexico. Molina was last seen the night before in Berino where she was attending a party.

Ramona Molina is Maria’s younger sister. She was only 9 years old when her sister was found.

“My sister was a happy person. She loved to dance. She loved to smile. I tell everybody she had the biggest teeth in the world. You know, a beautiful smile,” Molina said.

Her death was originally labeled as a suicide but over the years Ramona Molina and her family began to raise some questions.

“We saw the pictures. We were all like, ‘OK, my sister’s 5 feet, was 5 feet, 108 pounds.’ One-hundred and forty-four cars of a train. Her body was placed perfectly in between the railroad tracks, like the long ways. They said she was headed home,” Molina said. “I mean, it’s sad to say it, but I mean, I would think it probably yank her head off because it’s so powerful. It’s a huge machine going over you and striking you.”

The case was reopened earlier this year, but only as a death investigation, her family said.

But Maria’s family believes it should be investigated as a homicide.

KTSM reached out to the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office for comment about the case. Sheriff Kim Stewart sent this statement via email.

“We have been pursuing some interviews and a review of all case reports in this matter in the last few months. But we have no emergent, actionable leads to warrant it as a potential homicide case. It is definitely a tragic death.”

If you have any information on this case, you can call Las Cruces and Dona Ana County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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