On June 15, 2021, 33-year-old Ranelle Rose Bennett hugged her mother a little longer than usual. Later that day, she promised to help decorate for her daughter’s birthday party. But she never showed up. That night, a 10-year-old girl sat by the window waiting for her mom, sending unanswered texts: “Mom, remember it’s my birthday today.”

Ranelle, a mother of two and a member of the Navajo Nation, vanished from her home in Hogback, New Mexico, and has never been seen again. Her sudden disappearance was met with delays, jurisdictional confusion, and silence from the very agencies meant to help. A month later, her boyfriend — already wanted on federal charges — was arrested in connection with a violent crime spree, only adding to the questions about what happened to Ranelle.

In this episode, we trace the timeline of Ranelle’s disappearance, the devastating wait her family has endured, and the few haunting clues that remain — a pair of shoes and a sweater found on the mesas outside Shiprock. Along the way, we examine the theories, the breakdowns in the investigation, and the larger crisis facing Indigenous communities.

If you know anything about the disappearance of Ranelle Rose Bennett, please contact:

• The Navajo Nation Police Department in Shiprock at (505) 368-1350
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing & Murdered Unit tip line at 1-833-560-2065
• or text “BIAMMU” plus your tip to 847411

Thank you so much for listening to Vanished Voices. We truly appreciate you!