By Roger Raèl
September 23, 2026
RATON, N.M. | Raton police have identified the woman found dead Sunday inside an abandoned trailer on Price Street as Josephine Michelle Tafoya of Holman, New Mexico.
Raton Police said Tafoya was positively identified by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator following an examination of her remains.
Police were called at approximately 3:37 p.m. Sept. 20 after receiving a report of a deceased person inside an abandoned and dilapidated trailer at 1133 Price St., Space 13.
Earlier in the week, police had received a missing-person report involving a woman believed to be in the Raton area. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety’s missing-person database lists Tafoya as missing from Raton since Sept. 15 and states she was last seen in Raton.
Police said clothing found on the deceased woman was consistent with the description provided in the missing-person report.
An autopsy has been completed. Investigators are continuing to work with the Office of the Medical Investigator to determine the cause and manner of death.
RPD is currently investigating the case as a suspicious death. Police have not released additional information regarding possible foul play.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact the Raton Police Department at 575-445-2704or submit information through Raton Crime Stoppers.
Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available and when doing so will not compromise the investigation.
What we know
Victim: Josephine Michelle Tafoya, Holman, New Mexico
Date found: Sept. 20, 2026
Location: 1133 Price St., Space 13, Raton
Identification: New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator
Autopsy: Completed
Cause of death: Not released
Manner of death: Not determined
Case: Suspicious death
Status: Active investigation
Raton Police: 575-445-2704
Editor’s note: The Raton Range is using the term suspicious death because that is the classification provided by Raton police. Authorities have not announced that Tafoya’s death was a homicide.
