Rachel Sloan and Lakota Renville were Indigenous women whose lives ended in violence, leaving their families searching for justice. Rachel’s burned remains were found in 2015 in Laytonville, California, and her case remains unsolved, overshadowed by systemic neglect that often surrounds cases involving Native women. Adding to her family’s pain, Rachel’s mother was also a homicide victim, marking a chilling pattern of violence.

In 2005, Lakota Renville’s body was discovered in a vacant lot in Independence, Missouri. Despite years of advocacy by her family and attention from Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women groups, her murder remains a cold case. Both families have tirelessly fought to keep their loved ones’ stories alive, holding vigils and pushing for leads.

These cases reflect the broader MMIW crisis, where Native women face disproportionately high rates of violence and systemic barriers to justice. Rachel and Lakota’s stories are calls to action, urging communities and policymakers to prioritize the safety and justice of Indigenous women.

Join Arlene and Leah as they share the stories of these women, the evidence, and where their cases stand today.

Show Notes:

1. Mendocino County Homicide Victim's Mother Also Killed
2. Scene Photo Released in Hopes of Generating Leads in Cold Case
3. DNA Identifies Burned Remains as Missing Laytonville Woman
4. Who Killed Rachel Sloan?
5. Still Looking for Missing Persons in Mendocino County
6. Native Woman's Killing Remains Unsolved,
7. MMIP Series: 2005 Cold Case Murder of Indigenous Woman Lakota Renville
8. Community Marks 18 Years Since Lakota Renville Was Found Murdered in Independence
9. Relatives Search for Justice for Lakota Renville More Than 17 Years Later
10. Lakota Renville: Unsolved Case on Kansas City Crime Stoppers
11. Lakota Rae Renville
12. Independence Police Seek Tips in 2005 Cold Case Murder
13. Lakota Renville: Unsolved Homicide

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When 29-year-old Ida Beard, a shy Cheyenne & Arapaho woman from Oklahoma, disappeared, it left her family and community devastated. Her vanishing led to the passage of “Ida’s Law,” groundbreaking legislation designed to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people in OK.

In July 2017, Chynelle Lockwood’s body was discovered on a remote Alaskan beach, leaving her family devastated and desperate for answers. Her mother, haunted by the silence from investigators, spent years sifting through rumors and dead ends, clinging to hope and the search for justice in the face of unimaginable loss.

Join Arlene and Leah as they bring awareness to Native American unsolved cases, a vulnerable population more likely to experience violence, rape, and murder.

Learn more, donate, and take action.

Episode Notes:
Oklahoma Tribal Citizen’s Disappearance Inspires Law to Support Indigenous Crime Victims
Ida’s Law: The Promise and Limitations in Oklahoma’s Pursuit of Justice
Ida Beard’s Disappearance Leads to Legislation Aimed at Finding Missing Indigenous Women
Oklahoma Cold Cases: Ida Beard
Oklahoma Law to Tackle Missing, Murdered Indigenous Crisis Remains Unfunded
Cheyenne and Arapaho Woman Inspires ‘Ida’s Law’
Missing, Murdered Native American Law Signed by Oklahoma Governor
New Bill Entitled ‘Ida’s Law’ Addresses Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
Unanswered Questions Remain in 2017 Homicide of Chynelle Lockwood
All I Have Are Rumors’: Months After Daughter’s Death, a Mother Waits for Answers
Mother Still Searching for Answers in Daughter’s Suspicious Death
Mother Calls Daughter’s Death Suspicious
For Two Brothers, Two Traumas, and No Justice

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Every morning, Anita Redhair receives a "good morning" text from her 27-year-old daughter, Pepita. On the morning of March 25, 2020, Anita waited for her usual text, but it never came. She wondered if her daughter was busy with school, work, her hobby of skateboarding, or spending time with her boyfriend Nick. She soon reached out to Nick, and he claimed she left a party the night before, and he didn't know where she was. When Anita alerted the authorities of Pepita's disappearance, the Albuquerque Police Department, her case was ignored due to the recent COVID outbreak.

As Pepita's family investigated, more details of Pepita's life were revealed. Join Arlene and Leah as they review the clues, evidence, her family's tireless efforts, theories of what could have happened to Pepita, and the suspects.

November is Native American Heritage Month, and Box in the Basement would like to shine light on native women, who face a murder rate 10 times more than the national average. If you have information about a missing or murdered Indigenous person, reach out to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Text BIAMMU and your tip to 847411, call 1-833-560-2065, or email OJS_MMU@bia.gov.

Support Box in the Basement & Our Causes

• Leon Laurales: Website & GoFundMe
• Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
• Donate to Seasons of Justice
• Listen to Darkcast Network Shows
• Join Uncovered.com