Federal investigators say Zuni man linked to 10 victims
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says a 51-year-old man is the “prime suspect in a series of crimes targeting Native American men in Gallup, Zuni, and Albuquerque.” A federal grand jury has indicted the suspect, Labar Tsethlikai, in the murder of one Navajo man.
Tsethlikai is accused of murdering the unnamed victim in January of 2024, after the man was found dead on a remote part of the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico.
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Federal investigators claim Tsethlikai is also connected to “a string of murders, kidnappings, robberies, sexual abuses, and assaults,” according to the DOJ. Those crimes happened in the Albuquerque metro area and beyond, from May of 2023 to April of 2024. Apart from the Navajo man found on the Zuni Reservation, the DOJ says they believe one additional victim tied to Tsethlikai dies after being kidnapped.
A common modus operandi, along with victim statements, surveillance video, purchase transaction records, phone tracking, and DNA analysis led investigators to connect Tsethlikai to the crimes, the DOJ explains.
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Tsethlikai faces up to life in prison, but is considered innocent until proven guilty. Tsethlikai will remain in custody awaiting trial, and as prosecutors work to try to put Tsethlikai behind bars, federal investigators are still looking for additional crimes Tsethlikai may be tied to. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking victims to come forward.
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Images of Tsethlikai and his truck from the DOJ.
The DOJ says Tsethlikai is “approximately 5’7” and weighs 180 pounds. He is heavyset, has short brown hair, brown eyes, and wears glasses. He sometimes wears a gold bracelet.” They say he also traveled extensively around the state, frequenting Gallup, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. He drove a truck with plate number WNMU0043, the DOJ says.
Individuals with information can call the FBI at (505) 889-1300. Tips can also be sent online at tips.fbi.gov.
