Woman missing for 3 years

Independent staff

Laverda Sorrell

GALLUP — The Albuquerque Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its satellite office, the Gallup Resident Agency, is asking for the public's assistance regarding the disappearance of Laverda Sorrell of Navajo, N.M. three years ago.

Sorrell (age 44 at the time of her disappearance) was last seen in the Fort Defiance, Ariz., area, during the late evening hours of July 4, 2002.

To date, numerous searches have been conducted in and around the Gallup and Navajo Reservation in an attempt to locate Sorrell or her remains, should she be the victim of a violent act.

Local FBI agents are continuing to conduct an investigation regarding the disappearance of Sorrell and are awaiting laboratory results on forensic evidence that has been submitted to its FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Va. The FBI is confident that forensic tests will provide additional clues in her disappearance.

The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone providing information which results in the arrest and conviction of a suspect or suspects involved in the disappearance of Sorrell. The public is requested to contact the FBI office in Albuquerque (505) 889-1300 (24 hours) or the FBI's Gallup Resident Agency (505) 726-6000 should they have any information regarding Sorrell.