The person at the center of this case
Pernell Lloyd Tewangiotewa
Missing Person · Open
28 years waiting · since 1998
Missing Person: Pernell Lloyd Tewangiotewa
Justice for Pernell Lloyd Tewangiotewa — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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vehicle
Lead #1Why was the Subaru so badly burned and what caused the fire? Was it an accident or intentional?
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timeline
Lead #2What happened between leaving Gator's Bar & Grill on May 29 and the vehicle discovery on June 18? Where was the car during those three weeks?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any witnesses to Pernell leaving the bar or anyone who saw the vehicle or suspicious activity in Choke Cherry Canyon?
Pernell Lloyd Tewangiotewa, a 21-year-old Navajo-Hopi cosmetology student, disappeared on May 29, 1998, after leaving Gator's Bar & Grill in Farmington, New Mexico, driving his sister's 1988 Subaru station wagon. Nearly three weeks later, the badly burned vehicle was discovered abandoned in a dry river wash in Choke Cherry Canyon northwest of Farmington, but Pernell has never been found. The circumstances surrounding the vehicle's discovery and his disappearance remain unclear, leaving open questions about what happened that night.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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evidence
Lead #4What forensic evidence was recovered from the burned vehicle that might indicate foul play or accident?
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clue
Lead #5Why did Pernell not follow his sister home as expected? Did he stop somewhere or was something wrong?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP638. Missing person: Pernell Lloyd Tewangiotewa.
Last known contact: 1998-05-29 in Farmington, San Juan, NM. Circumstances: Pernell was a student at a local cosmetology school and lived with his sister at her house in Bloomfield about 10 miles southeast of Farmington.
On the night of his disappearance in May 1998, he spent the evening with his sister and friends at Gator's Bar & Grill, a popular Farmington club, before leaving in separate cars. He drove his sister's 1988 Subaru station wagon while his sister rode with friends.
She thought he was following her home but he never arrived. On 06/18/1998, almost three weeks later, an oil field worker checking on a well about five miles northwest of Farmington found the badly burned Subaru in a dry river wash in Choke Cherry Canyon.
Pernell is of Navajo-Hopi descent. Demographics: 21 years, Male, American Indian / Alaska Native.
Physical description: 5 ft 11 in, 175 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Brown. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Light blue and white shirt; Blue jeans; Eyewear: Wears gold toned, wire framed eyeglasses; Footwear: Tennis shoes.
Investigating agency: Farmington Police Department | 9827362 | 1998-06-19.
Timeline of Events
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1998-05-29
eveningLast seen leaving Gator's Bar & Grill
Pernell left the bar in his sister's 1988 Subaru station wagon; his sister expected him to follow her home to Bloomfield but he never arrived
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1998-06-18
Vehicle discovered
An oil field worker found the badly burned 1988 Subaru station wagon in a dry river wash in Choke Cherry Canyon, approximately 5 miles northwest of Farmington
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 29, 1998 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:September 28, 2026
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Phone: 5055991070
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Case Information
Incident:May 29, 1998 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:September 28, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5055991070
You can remain anonymous