Ashley Dissapearnce

 

Ashley Loring Heavyrunner, a resident of Browning, Montana, was last seen on June 5, 2017, by her mother at their family ranch. That evening, she reached out to friends on Facebook, seeking a ride into town. After packing some clothes into a blue string backpack and bidding farewell to her grandmother, Ashley got into a friend's car that was waiting outside.

Later that night, a video surfaced online showing Ashley at a party within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The footage captured her conversing with others and consuming alcoholic beverages. Ashley's last communication with her family was a text message to her sister, requesting money. Despite her sister's inquiry about her well-being, Ashley reassured her that she was fine.

However, Ashley never returned home and has not been heard from since. Her disappearance has raised significant concerns, prompting efforts to locate her. The circumstances surrounding her vanishing remain unclear, and authorities continue to investigate the case.

Ashley's disappearance sheds light on the broader issue of missing Indigenous women, a pervasive problem in the United States. Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by violence and disappearance, often facing systemic barriers in receiving adequate attention and resources from law enforcement agencies.

In response to Ashley's disappearance and the broader crisis, advocacy groups and communities have mobilized to raise awareness and demand action. They emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women and ensuring that cases like Ashley's receive the necessary attention and resources for a thorough investigation.

Despite these efforts, Ashley Loring Heavyrunner remains missing, leaving her family and community grappling with unanswered questions and the ongoing search for closure. Her story underscores the urgent need to address the issues facing Indigenous communities and to work towards a future where such disappearances are prevented, and justice is served for those who have gone missing.