Philbert Shorty : “Mystery Solved: Native American Families Left in Dark”

In the winter of 2021, the family of Philbert Shorty made a grim discovery when they found his abandoned car stuck in the mud near the small community of Tsaile, close to the Arizona-New Mexico state line. His uncle, Ben Shorty, remarked, “We knew something had happened from the get-go. We couldn’t find any answers.”

Following the discovery, family members reported the 44-year-old man missing. Over the next two years, they engaged in an extensive search effort, combing through remote canyons on the Navajo Nation, utilizing radio advertisements and social media postings in the hopes of uncovering any leads.

However, their efforts yielded no results, and they were unaware that Philbert had been killed more than a week before they reported him missing.

It wasn’t until U.S. prosecutors finalized a plea deal last summer with Shiloh Aaron Oldrock that the truth began to emerge. Oldrock, a 30-year-old man from Fargo, North Dakota, was charged in connection with Shorty’s death, which was uncovered during a separate investigation into the killing and beheading of Oldrock’s uncle. The chilling details revealed that Shorty’s body had been dismembered and burned on January 29, 2021, as part of a cover-up orchestrated by Oldrock and his uncle.

Addressing a Widespread Crisis

The tragic story of Shorty is just one among many similar cases involving Indigenous people across the United States and Canada. The prevalence of missing persons and unsolved killings within these communities has prompted policymakers to take action.

In 2019, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a task force to address the crisis, followed by Congress passing two significant pieces of legislation in 2020. U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights, has been working diligently under the Biden administration to tackle the systemic issues and jurisdictional challenges that have perpetuated the invisibility felt by victims’ families.

Continued Struggle for Justice

Despite increased attention on these cases, families like Shorty’s continue to grapple with unanswered questions and a lack of closure. U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Alexander Uballez, acknowledged the family’s plight in a November sentencing memo, expressing hope that the conviction of Oldrock would bring some semblance of closure.

However, Native American families remain frustrated with the lack of transparency and communication from authorities. Many feel left in the dark about the progress of investigations and are unsure if they will ever receive the closure they seek.

The Role of Law Enforcement

One of the key issues highlighted by the federal Not Invisible Act Commission is the need for better communication between law enforcement and families of victims. Bernadine Beyale, the founder of 4 Corners K-9 Search and Rescue, has been instrumental in bridging this gap by facilitating dialogue between families and law enforcement.

Despite the challenges in sharing sensitive information, Beyale emphasizes the importance of transparency and empathy when dealing with families who are searching for their missing loved ones. She recognizes the emotional toll that these situations take on families and strives to provide support and guidance throughout the process.

Seeking Closure

As families like Shorty’s continue to wait for answers and closure, the need for improved communication and support from law enforcement remains paramount. While the wheels of justice may turn slowly, the hope is that increased awareness and advocacy will lead to a more transparent and responsive approach to addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Shorty’s family remains hopeful that they will eventually be able to lay their loved one to rest, but for now, they are left with more questions than answers.