Body Found Near Mile Marker 15 on Route 66 Shocks Gallup
A woman’s body was discovered near mile marker 15 on New Mexico State Road 118, commonly known as Route 66, according to a Gallup Independent report published November 11 2025. The Office of the Medical Investigator was on the scene coordinating with McKinley County detectives, and officials say identification and cause of death will be released after the OMI completes its work.
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A discovery along a stretch of local Route 66 brought investigators and mortuary workers to the scene Tuesday, as authorities began what they described as an active and ongoing inquiry into the circumstances of a woman’s death. The Gallup Independent reported that the body was located near mile marker 15 on New Mexico State Road 118. The Office of the Medical Investigator arrived to gather evidence and to coordinate with detectives from the McKinley County Police Department.
Workers from a local mortuary were present to remove the remains after initial evidence collection. A photograph accompanying the Independent’s online post was credited to Cayla Nimmo, Independent. Officials at the time of the report continued to collect evidence and withheld identifying information and any determination of cause of death pending the OMI’s findings.
The involvement of the Office of the Medical Investigator signals that state level protocols for examining unexplained or unattended deaths are being followed. The OMI typically performs forensic examination and autopsy work necessary to establish cause and manner of death while working in tandem with local law enforcement to preserve scene integrity and chain of custody for evidence. Detectives from the McKinley County Police Department will review those findings as they consider next investigative steps.
For residents of Gallup and travelers who use State Road 118, the discovery is a reminder of the close intersection between historic corridors and contemporary public safety work. Route 66 runs through communities where lives are tightly connected across social and cultural lines, and events like this can have an immediate emotional impact. Neighbors and community organizations often seek reassurance about safety and clear information while an investigation is underway.
Authorities have not released any identifying information about the deceased, and officials emphasized that releases will await the completion of medical investigator procedures. That approach follows standard privacy and investigative practices intended to ensure next of kin are notified respectfully and that forensic conclusions are based on full examination.
Local residents can expect official updates through McKinley County law enforcement channels and from the OMI as the investigation proceeds. Reporting agencies and community leaders will likely be watching closely for information that clarifies whether this death is the result of natural causes, an accident, or potential criminal activity. In the meantime, local agencies continue evidence collection and coordination as required by state and local protocols.
