Questions raised about destination of reward money

Last month, Curry County Crime Stoppers and an anonymous group of local individuals offered $15,000 for information leading to an arrest in the Nov. 9 stabbing death of Ariel Ulibarri.

Crime Stoppers board member Sandy Chancey said none of the tips that came in to the hotline led to the Dec. 2 arrest of Matthew Jennings, who is accused of killing Ulibarri.

But some area residents think the family of the victim should receive the reward money because they found what police believe is the murder weapon. That weapon, a knife, has been directly linked to DNA from Ulibarri and Jennings, police said.

Josefita Griego is the driving force behind the push to give the reward money to the family. She is asking supporters write letters to the editor of the newspaper.

“What are they gonna do with that money?” Griego asked on Monday. “They should give that to the family. They found the knife.”

Ulibarri family members found the knife near the crime scene the day after the homicide, hours after police left Goodwin Lake walking trail and took the crime scene tape down.

Leanna Montano, Ulibarri's sister, said the family wants it known that, "We never asked for that money. If we get it, it will be used 100 percent for Ariel’s children."

Doug Pettigrew, vice president of the Crime Stoppers board, said the organization put up $5,000 and anonymous individuals added $10,000 to the reward fund.

The board members have confirmed the organization’s bylaws strictly dictate that Crime Stoppers funds have to be used for reward payouts for anonymous tips through the hotline, and cannot be given to the victim’s family, Pettigrew said.

But Pettigrew said the remaining $10,000 raised by the anonymous individuals would not be subject to the organization’s bylaws.

Griego said she believes the anonymous group should reward the family for finding the knife.

“I believe the people who raised the money should contact the chief of police and tell him 'Hey, we donated this money to help find the killer. The killer was found because the family found the knife,’” Griego said.

“They are a very loving, caring, kind family,” Griego said. “They don't care about the money, but they would like it for (Ulibarri’s two children).”

Griego said she would like to see the community come out for the family in other ways, too. Griego is working with the family to organize a community vigil for Ariel Ulibarri in January.

“This is tragic for the whole community,” Griego said.

Plans for the vigil include featuring a personal memorial about Ulibarri from her family. The memorial would include her favorite flowers, pink roses, and a balloon release would be held in her honor. Griego said she would like to find small businesses to support the event and find people to volunteer to sing.