The body of a Native American woman found dead Feb. 9 has been identified.

Spokeswoman Lt. Rosanne Morrissette said Jevita Johnson, 33, of Gallup may be the victim of foul play, but it’s too early to call it a homicide.

“The Office of the Medical Investigator has not determined the cause of death,” she said.

Capt. Marinda Spencer, public information officer with the Gallup Police Department, said a passerby discovered the deceased woman at about 10:50 am. The location of the body was found east of the arroyo near Gallup’s Social Security Building along East Aztec Avenue.

The open-area dead body discovery comes about one week after the body of Darrell Barney, 59, was found on BNSF property, near Munoz overpass.

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent