Man’s death is a mystery to his family
Mona Free puts up reward posters Monday evening in Gallup with the help of her father, Frank Laghaie, near the Multi-Cultural Center in downtown Gallup. The family is looking for information about the death of Mona's brother in January 2008. [Jeff Jones / Independent]

Arya Laghaie

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — Arya Laghaie’s family traveled from Indianapolis to the Gallup and Houck, Ariz., areas last week to meet the people who made an impact on his life.

“Arya came out here to serve Native Americans and fell in love with the people here,” Mona Free, Laghaie’s sister, said. “The people in his experience moved him.”

Laghaie, a 25-year-old graduate of St. Thomas University, worked for the Native American Baha’i Institute in Houck as a tutor and in other various capacities up until his death on Jan. 3. A passer-by discovered Laghaie’s lifeless body below the Miyamura Overpass. Autopsy results have rendered inconclusive results; however, Laghaie’s family suspects he may have been a victim of foul play or a hit-and-run accident.
Either way, his family would like answers.

“To me it’s like a mystery,” Roya Laghaie, Arya Laghaie’s mother, said. “There’s all kinds of possibilities.”

Prior to his death, Laghaie missed an Amtrak train that was scheduled to take him to Albuquerque where he’d catch an airplane home to Indianapolis. He called his family to let them know he’d missed the train and would make arrangements to catch another train the next day. He last spoke to his father at about 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 3.

His exact actions following the last phone call aren’t known, but his family does know that Laghaie fell from the Miyamura Overpass in an unintentional manner.

Through their own investigation, Laghaie’s family learned of a possible hit and run car accident that occurred along Interstate Highway 40 near mile marker 22 during the same time frame that Laghaie was killed. They wonder if the incident may have caused Laghaie to fall from the overpass. Tests for alcohol and drug use were also negative.

Through a conversation with the medical examiner who performed an autopsy on Laghaie, the family learned he sustained a wound underneath his chin that could be consistent with being struck by a vehicle’s rear view mirror. The impact could have caused Laghaie to fall from the bridge that has just short guard rails.

“I’m doing my own investigation because I’m not pleased with the results,” Roya Laghaie said.

During their week’s stay in the area, Roya Laghaie has tried to learn as much as possible about the hours prior to her son’s death and the investigation surrounding the mysterious circumstances.

“My mom has been on the phone constantly and she’s had very few returned phone calls,” Mona Free, Laghaie’s sister, said.

The family posted flyers that sought information about Arya Laghaie’s death at local businesses. They are also offering a reward of $5,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the case.

“We’re just appealing to the public,” Mona Free said.

Anyone with information about the case, is asked to call CrimeStoppers, (505) 722-6161 or the Gallup Police Department at (505) 863-9365.