11 years after woman's murder, Valley family still searching for justice

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- A Valley family is still searching for justice, 11 years after a loved one was brutally murdered. Now, her family is speaking out, hoping someone will come forward with information.

Santana Armijo was just 21 years old when she was killed, leaving behind two young children. Her family says they have not given up hope her killer will be caught, and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Armijo's body, along with the body of Michael Martinez, were found on September 20, 2007 by a contractor driving on Verado Way.

"It was senseless it did not need to happen," said the victim's aunt, Denise Garcia.

Police believe the couple was killed somewhere else, and the bodies were then abandoned in the desert. Both were found naked and face down in the dirt.

"To know that they could move on with their lives, knowing what they did, I don't know how any human being could go on with their lives," said Garcia.

With few clues and no solid leads, the case went cold, but detectives have continued to investigate, re-interviewing two dozen people and re-examining the evidence.

"We know that somebody out there knows something, and that's why we are here today to see if somebody will come forward, maybe has a guilty conscience," said Det. Robert DeMaro with Buckeye Police.

Armijo's death was the family's second loss that year. Just 11 months earlier, Armijo's brother was killed while serving in the army in Iraq. Armijo's family say they haven't given up hope that the killer will be found.

"If it takes another 10 years, we know it will get solved, and that's our prayers that we wish for," said Garcia.

The family created a "Justice for Santana" Facebook page. Anyone with information should leave an anonymous tip by calling Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.

Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).