Melanie Marie James, 21, was last seen on April 20, 2014, in Farmington, New Mexico. Her sister reported seeing her that day walking near McKinley Elementary School with an unidentified man. Melanie had told family she planned to apply for jobs and return home by 5:00 p.m., but she did not come back.

Days after she vanished, Melanie’s duffel bag and purse were found hidden in an alley near 20th Street. Family members say they initially had difficulty getting police to file a missing persons report because Melanie often stayed with friends and led a transient lifestyle. She had recently alleged false imprisonment and assault by an ex-boyfriend and was reportedly afraid he might come after her; he had continued contacting her while jailed.

A possibly credible sighting in a Farmington store in September 2015 showed Melanie appearing nervous on surveillance footage, but that tape was later erased and was not pursued further by police. Authorities continue to seek information about her whereabouts and about the unidentified man seen with her on April 20. If anyone knew Melanie, the man seen with her that day, or has tips about her movements, please come forward.