Missing Los Lunas man found dead in Rio Communities

Human remains found in Rio Communities late last month have been identified as a man who went missing from Los Lunas in the fall of 2023.

His death is being investigated by law enforcement as a homicide.

Two women walking in the desert near De Haan Loop and Sherrod Boulevard in northeast Rio Communities on Thursday, Nov. 21, found a human skull in an area off De Haan Loop after their dog began digging.

They picked up the skull using a towel and took it to the Belen Police Department. BPD officers contacted officers from the Rio Communities Police Department, since the skull was found in RCPD’s jurisdiction.

Officers from Rio Communities followed the two women to the area where the skull was found, according to an RCPD incident report, and they then contacted the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office to assist. The report notes the women saw what looked like a jacket and some sort of fabric in the area where the skull was found.

After a preliminary walk-through of the scene, evidence was found that possibly identified the remains of that of James Cramberg, 54, a man who was reported missing in October 2023, said Los Lunas Police Chief Frank Lucero.

“We initially took the missing persons case back in October 2023 from his mother. She reported his last known location was in Los Lunas. He’s from Rio Rancho and she was calling from there,” Lucero said. “She hadn’t heard from him or seen him for some time, which was very out of character for him. When it was possible that those remains were his, that’s when we took over.”

The chief said both the Office of the Medical Investigator and the University of New Mexico anthropology department was involved in locating and identifying Cramberg’s remains.

“OMI did positively identify the remains as that of Mr. Cramberg and his next of kin was notified,” he said. “We are still working with OMI on a cause of death and we are investigating this as a homicide. At this point, we can’t release other details in regards to the investigation.”

Lucero did say other remains in addition to the skull were located in the area near De Haan Loop and Sherrod.

“We really had to work closely with UNM and OMI to determine what was being found. It’s a desert area and there were animal remains. There were other items located at the scene, which was how from an early onset we were able to ID Mr. Cramberg,” Lucero said. “We suspect people are out there who have information, who know what may have happened to Mr. Cramberg and about those involved in the incident. We strongly suggest people come forward with any information they think can help. We can work with people to remain anonymous.”

If anyone has information they feel is relevant to the death of Cramberg they are asked to call LLPD Lt. Nikki DeAnda or Det. Heather Killingsworth at 505-839-3855, the department’s main administration line. After hours, calls can be made to the non emergency dispatch number, 505-865-9130.

“Having a missing family member is difficult for the family and it’s difficult for us to give them the update that there is no update,” Lucero said. “Hopefully, someone out there will have information to make the link we need to break the case and locate evidence and the individuals responsible.”