DeepSummary
Connie Walker investigates the disappearance of Ella Mae Begay, a 62-year-old Navajo woman who went missing from her home on the Navajo Nation in June 2021. Her niece Seraphine Warren has worked tirelessly to bring attention to the case, even walking over 2000 miles to raise awareness. Walker pieces together what happened the night Ella Mae disappeared, including a break-in at her daughter Joanne's house and the involvement of a young man named Preston Tolth.
Police named Preston a person of interest after finding his blood-stained clothes and interviewing him, where he admitted to being with Ella Mae, getting into a fight with her, and leaving her unconscious on the side of the road. However, no charges were filed against Preston despite this evidence. Walker explores the family's frustrations with the slow police response and lack of progress in the investigation.
The episode delves into the broader issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women, lack of resources and infrastructure on the Navajo Nation, and the mistrust many community members have towards law enforcement. Ella Mae's story becomes a window into examining violence, generational trauma, and the struggle for justice in an area where people feel they can 'get away with murder.'
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The disappearance of Ella Mae Begay highlights the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the United States.
- There is a deep mistrust between the Navajo community and law enforcement due to slow response times, lack of resources, and perceived inaction on cases.
- Systemic issues like lack of infrastructure and poverty on the Navajo Nation compound challenges in investigating crimes and gathering information.
- Navajo women like Seraphine Warren are taking matters into their own hands to raise awareness and seek justice when they feel failed by authorities.
- Violence, retaliation, and a belief that 'you can get away with murder' enable a cycle of crimes going unsolved in isolated communities like Sweetwater.
- The handling of Ella Mae's disappearance, from the initial police response to a suspect's confession without charges, exemplifies systemic failures.
- Generational trauma and cycles of violence are deeply entrenched social challenges on the Navajo Nation.
- Cases like Ella Mae's underscore the need for more resources, training, and community relationships for law enforcement in Indian Country.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I have to be doing something for my aunt in order for me to feel better.“ by Seraphine Warren
- “You know, if they could have stuck around for an extra hour or two, the sun could have came up. You know, they should have taped that off, locked the door, or have an officer on site. That could have potentially helped solve something. But nope.“ by Gerald Begay
- “People go missing over there all the time and the cops are not doing nothing about it.“ by Gerald Begay
- “Around here, the aunties get shit done. We go places where people don't want to go.“ by Seraphine Warren
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Episode Information
Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries
Spotify Studios
4/26/24