Four years and still no justice for Jade

On a cold January day in 2020, the body of Jade Wagon was found on the Wind River Reservation. Four years later, no one has been charged with her murder.

When Jade was found, law enforcement ruled causes of death as accidental overdose and exposure. The case was closed even though the term “drop off” was used in the case report — as there was no vehicle at the site.

Someone put fentanyl patches on her back. Someone drove her out there. Someone left her to die.

Can you imagine how you would feel if this happened to a member of your family? No one is looking for that “someone.”

Jade left behind two children. They are being raised by their grandmother Nicole Wagon. Nicole never gave up hope of seeking justice for her other daughter Jocelyn Watt who was murdered in Jan. 2019. In June 2023, the man who shot Jocelyn and her partner Rudy Perez was sentenced. Justice took 4 ½ years. Nicole is still working to get Jade’s case reopened.

There are two House Bills that have been introduced for the 2024 legislative session. HB 0029 would require the Division of Criminal Investigation to develop and maintain a cold case data base. “Cold case” means a homicide or felony sexual offense that remains unsolved for three years or more after being reported to a law enforcement agency.

The second bill is House Bill 0058. It will establish a pilot program for forensic genetic genealogical, DNA analyses and searches as specified; providing grants, a sunset date, and appropriations.

Sadly, Wyoming has a lot of missing people of all races, sexes and ages. Sadly, too, is how our murder rate is increasing.

These bills will help will all missing and murdered people in Wyoming. Please consider reaching out to your legislators to support these bills.

#RememberTheirNames #JusticeForAll