June 30, 2000
(Albuquerque) The recent search for Girly Chew Hossencofft’s remains near Magdalena produced what seemed to be a disappointing outcome. Investigators located a dead animal and “a couple of items of intrigue” at the bottom of a mine shaft. Still, police say that the dead animal will be sent to the University of New Mexico’s Department of Anthropology for evaluation.
Anthropology is the study of human beings. So why send the dead animal to anthropologists? Here are some possibilities: Girly’s bloodstained clothing and a tarp had animal hairs on them. The clothing and tarp were found together along Highway 60 only about a mile from where the dead animal was recently discovered. Anthropologists might attempt to determine if any of Girly’s hair or skin particles are on the animal. And while they’re at it, they could do some additional checking.
The anthropologists might also search for glitter or “colored crystal type flakes” on the animal. Glitter was found on the tarp and Girly’s clothing. It was also found in the trunk of suspect Linda Henning’s Honda Accord. Animal hair was also found in the Honda’s trunk.
Court documents state that numerous containers of colored crystal flakes and glitter–the type used in arts and crafts–were found inside Henning’s home.
According to a search warrant, “Animal hair and fibers consistent with those recovered on the tarp and clothes were also found in Girly Hossencofft’s apartment and in Linda Henning’s Honda Accord.”