Havasupai murderer charged

[PrestonSands]

Arrest in tourist slaying in northern Arizona
Associated Press
Dec. 8, 2006 01:37 PM

FLAGSTAFF — An 18-year-old man was charged in the May kidnapping, robbery and killing of a female Japanese tourist in Havasupai Falls this spring.

A federal grand jury indicted Randy Wescogame on Tuesday on charges of first degree murder, murder-robbery, robbery, murder-kidnapping and kidnapping in the killing of Tomomi Hanamure, 34, of Tokyo.

Wescogame, a member of the Havasupai Indian tribe, has been held by tribal authorities since May on unrelated assault charges. He was transferred Friday to federal custody and brought before a federal magistrate for an initial appearance in Flagstaff.

The indictment alleges that Wescogame willfully murdered the woman, who was traveling alone, in the course of kidnapping and robbing her on May 8.

“The facts underlying the indictment reflect the last moments of a young lady who came from Japan to enjoy the beauty of this country, and who, instead, met a senseless and tragic end to her life,” said U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton. “Our thoughts remain with Ms. Hanamure's family during this difficult time.”

Hanamure disappeared on May 8 after checking into a lodge on the Havasupai Indian Reservation and taking a hike to the Havasupai Falls.

She was reported missing the next day after a housekeeper found her bed apparently unused, with some of her belongings and passport still in her room.

On May 13, four days after the Coconino County Sheriff's Office and Bureau of Indian Affairs started search and rescue operations, a group of swimmers discovered her body floating in a pool beneath a waterfall.

An autopsy determined that Hanamure was stabbed 29 times but there was no sign that she was assaulted sexually.

After her body was discovered, an FBI dive team found some of her belongings, though not her cell phone, credit cards and cash.

She had arrived in Los Angeles the week before her death and visited several tourist spots before driving a rental car to Arizona, sheriff's spokesman Gerry Blair said in May. She parked the car on the Grand Canyon's South Rim, leaving most of her possessions inside, then hiked down to the lodge, where she checked in.

Federal and local agencies investigated the case, and the FBI offered a $5,000 reward.

After the death, tribal officials clamped down on releasing any information, declining to discuss the case.

Most Japanese tourists who visit northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon travel in large groups, often by bus, but Hanamure usually traveled by herself, Blair said.

He said she had been on hiking trails in the Grand Canyon a number of times previously and avidly pursued similar outdoor tourist activities in other parts of the world.

Supai is a canyon 3,000 feet deep that can be reached only by foot, helicopter or on a pack animal.

The indictment accused Wescogame of acting with “malice aforethought” in carrying out the robbery. It said the woman's camera, cell phone, cash, credit cards “and other things of value” were taken.

John Lewis, FBI special agent in charge in Phoenix, said such crimes in isolated areas are difficult to solve and often take time to secure enough evidence to indict someone despite leads and investigative efforts.

Wescogame is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing Tuesday in Flagstaff.

Conviction on any of the charges except robbery could bring up to a life sentence, $250,000 fine or both. A robbery conviction could impose a maximum of 15 years in prison, $250,000 fine or both.

[Vaporman]

Wescogame, a member of the Havasupai Indian tribe, has been held by tribal authorities since May on unrelated assault charges.

This means that the little chums should have been in jail in the first place...........................................:twisted:

[Nan]

Wescogame, a member of the Havasupai Indian tribe, has been held by tribal authorities since May on unrelated assault charges.

This means that the little chums should have been in jail in the first place...........................................:twisted:

Did I miss something? The article says he was held (in jail) since May.

[Davis2001r6]

I think the other assault happened after the murder and that is what he was being held on. I could be wrong though, wouldn't be the first time!

[Vaporman]

Na, I'm may be wrong in that I assumed the other charges happened before the murder. It's not very clear in the report, I even googled for other news reports but they say the same exact thing. But its usually safe to assume that he has some sort of history or record. You don't go from an upstanding citizen to stabbing women 29 times overnight, its more of a downward spiral. But often times these warning signs are ignored until its too late...

[azbackpackr]

Backpacker Magazine went out on a limb with that article. Excruciatingly honest, a top-notch piece of journalism. (Rare for Backpacker, which is usually mostly fluff.)

One time when I was at Supai I talked to the school counselor. He said that, in his long career of working in Native American schools, he had never in his life encountered a place so drastically dysfunctional as Supai. He said that most boys have been sexually molested by the age of 16. (He didn't say about the girls, but one can surmise.) He said that due to a 90% rate of alcohol abuse and other substance abuse, the people are generally unmotivated and unambitious. He said that when kids do get in trouble there the traditional thing has been to basically not punish them nor give them any sort of consequences for their behavior, so therefore all the petty crime, thefts, etc., continue to constantly escalate.

I'll think twice about going there again after reading that article. There are other great swimming holes in Arizona, and I've been to Supai quite a few times now, so maybe I'll check out some of the other places instead.

[KneeCap]

Hello friends,
I hiked to Supai in 1975&76 and then again 1993&94. Last June I visited the reservation again. What a dump and open sewer it was from trailhead to the campground. Every backcountry rule is broken down there, human waste and garbage was everywhere. Families bathed in the creek and the campground mines were contaminated with human waste.It reminded me of a movie set, these beautiful falls in front of me and all that garbage behind me.
I sent a letter to the tribal council with my concerns and suggestions. My letter was with respect and offered solutions instead of criticism. I never received a reply.
Obviously they had their hands full dealing with tribal affairs at the time and it continues today.
There are many more disappointments that I encountered down in Supai and at the campground that I'll spare you.
Will I return? No, not until the Havasupai Love the Canyon again. Not until they hold people accountable and insist that backcountry ethics are a way of living in paradise.
Until then,
Bury my Heart anywhere but Supai,
Peace,
KneeCap

[cathymocha]

In response to azbackpackr's reply:

I really appreciate your input...I had hoped to visit Havasupi withing the next two years. Now, I will hike to other places.

[JoelHazelton]

I feel like, in spite of how disgusting it is down there, if you've never been to Havasupai it's still worth visiting once.

[azbackpackr]

Well, I will definitely go back, despite the problems. I won't do it solo, though. I have known about some of this stuff for quite a few years now. And I have always gone there with a group of friends. However, I have also wandered all over very early in the a.m. by myself. I would hate to give that up! I always have hiked up to the falls from camp and had the place all to myself every time I go there.

Plus if they have more police officers maybe that will help. I don't know what will help with the litter, etc., since it's the packers that are throwing the beer cans along the upper trail. I haven't smelled the sewage someone mentioned, though.

I think that even with a concealed carry permit it is not legal to pack a gun on the reservation. But if it comes to that, may as well go somewhere else. I am ambivalent about the whole thing.

[racer40]

.

[Hoffmaster]

I just got back from Supai. Never have I seen any part of it in the condition I found this area to be in. But the beauty is surrounded by filth and physical signs of disrespect. Also, like others have mentioned, the campers/hikers here are a different variety than those found in most other parts of the canyon. I felt like I was on Padre Island for Spring Break. The campground was loud, the campers were rambunctious. We had 3 items stolen from our campsite. People did use the creek as a toilet in every vile way imaginable. The village was a big let down as well. The very large majority of residents go out of their way to make you feel like they hate you and don't want you there. We were cussed at by one woman who appeared intoxicated. The village is covered in graffiti and windows were broken out of several buildings. The jail sure was full for a town this small. We witnessed several fights. There was trash everywhere, from just below the switchbacks all the way to and through the village. The campgrounds and port-a-potties were filthy, too. The town seems full of anger.

So...you had fun then?

No, seriously...I've been saying these same things about Supai for 4 years now. Most hikers I know that have been there think I'm crazy. "It's beautiful" they always say. Sure, the falls are beautiful...from a distance. That area is disgusting and it's a shame. I think most people that go have dreamt of going there for most of their lives. When they get there, they don't want to admit that it is basically an open sewer with a visually appealing waterfall nearby. I say "wake up!"

[Nan]

Latest on the trial, the guy's pled guilty: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... r0919.html

My friend saw this article and told me to "be careful" on my Rim-to-Rim trip because of the "crazy people" at the Grand Canyon. Mind you, my house in Mesa is less than a mile from where those two guys lived who were driving around shooting people earlier this year. :roll:

[te_wa]

No, seriously...I've been saying these same things about Supai for 4 years now. Most hikers I know that have been there think I'm crazy. "It's beautiful" they always say. Sure, the falls are beautiful...from a distance. That area is disgusting and it's a shame. I think most people that go have dreamt of going there for most of their lives. When they get there, they don't want to admit that it is basically an open sewer with a visually appealing waterfall nearby. I say "wake up!"

yep. thats what I think too. Plus the hike is a fairly ugly and boring 10 miles. Id rather save my time for something like Soap Creek where I can catch beautiful and tasty cutthroat trouts.. mmm mmm good. And, most likely be the only dude down there. Matt? been fishing lately? (hint hint)

here's an article by a HAZ member that contradicts the viewpoints on this thread, (and I welcome lively discussion, so im not discounting your opinion ) nice read and all but I still think the place should be avoided. Hang the poster in your office and leave it at that. http://www.special-sections.com/section ... dex13.html

[macdaid]

Office of the United States Attorney
District of Arizona

For Information Contact Public Affairs
WYN HORNBUCKLE
Telephone: (602) 514-7625
Cell: (602) 525-2681
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2007




HAVASUPAI MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO 2ND DEGREE MURDER OF JAPANESE TOURIST TOMOMI HANAMURE

PHOENIX – Randy Redtail Wescogame, 19, of the Havasupai Indian Tribe, pleaded guilty today to Second Degree Murder for the murder of Tomomi Hanamure, a Japanese tourist who was killed on her 34th birthday after going for a hike to the Havasupai Falls.

In pleading guilty in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward C. Voss, Wescogame has agreed to a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release.

“Today’s result shows the continued commitment by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Havasupai Community and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring forth justice in this case,”said Daniel G. Knauss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “Our hope is that this guilty plea will allow Ms. Hanamure’s family to continue the healing process for their loss.”

Hanamure, 34, was reported missing on May 9, 2006, a day after she checked into a lodge on the Havasupai Indian Reservation and left for a hike to the Havasupai Falls on her 34th birthday. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office initiated a search and rescue operation. Her body was located on May 13 in a secluded section of the river. An autopsy revealed that Hanamure died as a result of approximately 30 stab wounds.

“We are extremely gratified to hear of Randy Wescogame’s guilty plea, and believe it is a
direct result of a close working relationship and cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement, during the investigation of this case,” stated Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil. “We hope this provides some closure for the Hanamure Family and their devastating loss.”

"As with many crimes in Indian Country, the vastness and seclusion of crime scenes make these investigations challenging." As FBI Special Agent in Charge John E. Lewis explained, "This case was no exception as FBI agents alongside officers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, accessed a crime scene more than 160 miles from their investigating agencies and ten miles from the nearest road."

Selanhongva McDonald, Special Agent in Charge for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services, added that “Due to the hard work and cooperation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the FBI, and Coconino Sheriff’s Office, Randy Wescogame was brought to justice. The Havasupai Tribe’s support and assistance in this investigation was invaluable.”

Wescogame has been in federal custody since December 2006. The five-count indictment by a federal grand jury in December 2006 in Phoenix alleged that Wescogame willfully murdered Hanamure in the course of kidnaping and robbing her on May 8, 2006. The charges in the indictment were Premeditated First Degree Murder, First Degree Felony Murder-Robbery, Robbery, First Degree Felony Murder Kidnaping, and Kidnaping.

Upon sentencing in front of a federal judge at 2:00 p.m. on January 14, 2008, U.S. District Court Judge Mary H. Murguia will consult the sentencing guidelines in deciding
whether to accept Wescogame’s plea agreement. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution is being handled by Vincent Q. Kirby, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

[sierranomad]

Havasupai Falls was on my "dream" list for years. The pictures you see of it are, to say the least, idyllic.

However, for me, the feel of the place is just as important as the scenery. ANY garbage or vandalism to nature detracts greatly from the experience. Fellow humans (if there are any) must have the same respect for the place and others as I do. If they don't, this too detracts tremendously from the experience. If I don't feel safe, forget it.

I no longer have any desire to go. There are plenty of other beautiful places on this planet.

[Canyonram]

@sferrell
Backpacker Magazine had a good article concerning the hiker murder in Havasu:

http://books.google.com/books?id=WBlWvn ... &q&f=false

ADMIN: post moved from Mooney Falls drowning to Havasupai murderer charged

[Philnation]

Wow, one of my friend's recommended this one to me (I just moved to AZ from Seattle) and now i'm questioning their view of our friendship

Does anyone know if it's been cleaned up considerably since '07?

[joebartels]

You can view the area for yourself via any of the 15 photosets posted since last July alone, listed mid left screen... http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=58 It's not the same, but I'm sure you'd really like it regardless.

I think your time would be better used worrying about the value of the pecos in China than getting murdered at Havasu

[azbackpackr]

Just remember you are visiting an Indian reservation, it's a lot like a 3rd world country, and don't expect pristine wilderness. Then you can enjoy it for what it is. I like going there.