A Long Fight: The Disappearance of Melissa Ann Montoya, Part 2

A Long Fight: The Disappearance of Melissa Ann Montoya, Part 2

Author: The Fall Line® July 22, 2026 Duration: 40:46

We continue our coverage of the disappearance of Melissa Ann Montoya. On St. Patrick's Day 2001, 42-year-old Melissa Montoya joined her loved ones at the Apache House of Liquor in Dulce, New Mexico—a town located in the Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation. It was the last time that her friends and family ever saw her. Since then, lawyer and  advocate Darlene Gomez has been fighting alongside her family for justice for Melissa--and for resolution in her case. 

2026 Update: The unidentified person considered as a possible match for Melissa has been ruled out. However, law enforcement is seeking to speak with anyone who was with her on the night she disappeared.

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In July, we are revisiting cold cases that still need your attention. 

If you have any information regarding Melissa's case, please contact the Jicarilla Apache Nation Police Department at 575-759-3222.

Season 19 focused on New Mexico and on the cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons/Missing/ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIP/MMIWR) whose loved ones are still fighting for resolution in their cases. 

Darlene Gomez's nonprofit: https://www.mmiwr.org/

Angels' Voices Silenced No More: https://www.angelsvoicesnm.org/

The Fall Line® is an investigative true crime podcast focused on cold cases, unsolved murders, missing persons, and unidentified John and Jane Does in the United States. We deliver in-depth reporting and interviews with law enforcement and forensic experts, examining unsolved homicides, disappearances, serial crimes, and the evidence behind them. Victim-centered and research-driven, we focus on cases still seeking answers.

Learn more about our cold-case coverage at our Episode Guide

Submit a case to The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/case-submissions

Laurah's book LAY THEM TO REST: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/laurah-norton/lay-them-to-rest/9780306828805/

Sources at our website: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources

Join us on Patreon to fund therapy initiatives: https://www.patreon.com/thefalllinepodcast

We work with Amplitude Media Partners (AMP) to power our advertising and grow with the right sponsors. Contact AMP with any ad inquiries; sales@amplitudemediapartners.com. 

All rights reserved, 2026


In the crowded landscape of true crime, The Fall Line: True Crime distinguishes itself by focusing intently on the cases that have slipped through the cracks. This investigative podcast, produced by The Fall Line®, dedicates its episodes to cold cases, unsolved murders, and missing persons who haven't received the sustained attention they deserve. The work goes beyond simply recounting facts; it involves deep, often years-long dives into the specifics of unsolved homicides, disappearances, and the stories of unidentified John and Jane Does. You'll hear directly from the people closest to these investigations-law enforcement officers who worked the original details, forensic experts explaining the science, dedicated victim advocates, and, most importantly, the families still living with the unresolved loss. Each season is built on meticulous research and interviews that piece together not only what might have happened, but also the complex reasons why answers remain elusive. The narrative is driven by a commitment to thoroughness and respect, aiming to bring new clarity to long-forgotten files. By listening to this podcast, you become part of a process that seeks to restore names to the nameless and pursue justice for the overlooked, all through careful, persistent storytelling that treats every case with the gravity it has always warranted.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Fall Line: True Crime
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