Labar Tsethlikai, Serial Murder, New Mexico 2024

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a shocking turn of events, a second superseding indictment has been filed against serial murderer, kidnapper, and sexual abuser Labar Tsethlikai, bringing additional charges of kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon. The new charges stem from a larger series of violent crimes committed by Tsethlikai against Native American men across New Mexico between 2022 and 2024.

The additional charges correspond to five new victims and bring the total number of identified victims to 11. Tsethlikai, 51, an enrolled member of Zuni Pueblo, now faces a 17-count second superseding indictment charging him with five additional counts of kidnapping and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

The new charges are as follows:

Count 5: Kidnapping of Victim 3 on or about May 19, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 11: Kidnapping of Victim 6 on or about August 24, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 12: Assault with a dangerous weapon (baseball bat) against Victim 6 on or about August 24, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 13: Kidnapping of Victim 7 on or about September 7, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 14: Kidnapping of Victim 8 on or about September 15, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 16: Kidnapping of Victim 10 on or about April 5, 2024, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Tsethlikai was initially charged with second-degree murder on April 25, 2024. On July 31, 2024, a federal grand jury charged Tsethlikai in an 11-count superseding indictment with two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, four counts of kidnapping, one count assault with intent to commit murder, one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse.

The 17-count second superseding indictment against Tsethlikai includes charges such as kidnapping resulting in death, first-degree murder, kidnapping, assault with intent to commit murder, and aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, Tsethlikai faces a mandatory life sentence or death for the kidnapping resulting in death and first-degree murder charges.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, led by Special Agent Mark Stephenson, is investigating this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, and Air Support Unit.

Tsethlikai’s current status is pending trial. The investigation is ongoing.

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