The woman whose body was found in the Cibola National Forest three years ago and known only as “Sandoval Star” has been identified as Victoria De La Rosa, a Mexican national who lived and worked in the Albuquerque area before her disappearance, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office announced at a press conference May 20.
Sandoval County Sheriff’s Detective Donald Chewning said investigators identified De La Rosa, also known as Maria Guadalupe Hernandez De La Rosa and Lupe Hernandez, through the FBI’s Next Generation Identification fingerprint database. De La Rosa, originally from Juchitepec in Mexico, arrived in the United States from Mexico in fall 2019 and was joined by her husband and two children the following year. She worked at Garcia’s Kitchen on Central Avenue in Albuquerque until May 2022 and later at the Mas Cafe Bakery in Los Ranchos until her disappearance. She last resided in Albuquerque.
On April 18, 2023, Placitas residents found the De La Rosa’s remains partially submerged in a creek under a bridge off Route 165. Since then, investigators from the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, Rio Rancho Police Department and other agencies have been working to determine her identity.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Justin Garris said the bureau joined the investigation because De La Rosa’s remains were found inside the Cibola National Forest, a federal jurisdiction. “Violent crime has no boundaries,” Garris said, noting the FBI deployed resources from its laboratory, legal attaché office in Mexico, and local field agents to assist Sandoval County investigators.
Patricia Pinzón, Head Consul of the Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque, said the consulate assisted in returning De La Rosa’s remains to her family in Mexico and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Mexican nationals in vulnerable situations. “No family should have to endure the loss of a loved one under such painful and uncertain circumstances,” Pinzón said.
Investigators are still working to determine what happened to De La Rosa. The case is being treated as a homicide, Chewning confirmed. Anyone who knew De La Rosa, her family, or has any information is urged to contact investigators.
Help solve Victoria De La Rosa’s murder
- Sandoval County Unsolved Case Tip Line: 505-867-7350
- FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
- Facebook: facebook.com/sandovalunsolved
- Tips can be submitted anonymously
De La Rosa may also have been known in the Albuquerque community as Maria Hernandez De La Rosa or Lupe Hernandez. Her appearance, including hair color and style, may differ from photographs.