She Fights

Not Forgotten

Heather Winkeljohn Season 2 Episode 4

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0:00 | 32:21

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In 2023 and 2024, the number of recovered remains of women and girls in the desert west of El Paso, in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, rose to 130. The circumstances surrounding these deaths raise difficult questions about trafficking, migration, violence against women, and systemic failures that leave vulnerable people at risk.

In this episode of She Fights, Heather Winkeljohn speaks with Abbey Carpenter, co-leader of Battalion Search and Rescue, a humanitarian all-volunteer organization that searches for lost but not forgotten migrants in Arizona and New Mexico. Alongside co-leader James Holeman, Abbey has spent years working in some of the harshest terrain in the Southwest, helping recover the missing and bringing answers to families.

Abbey discusses the realities of search and recovery operations, the challenges facing border communities, and the broader issues surrounding violence against women in New Mexico, a state that continues to rank among the highest in the nation for violence against women.

Abbey Carpenter is the author of The Tortilla Star, Dora: A Daughter of Unforgiving Terrain, and the forthcoming Not Forgotten. She lives in Silver City, New Mexico, and Ajo, Arizona.

This conversation explores loss, resilience, unanswered questions, and the ongoing work of those determined to ensure that the missing are never forgotten. 

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Hosted by Heather Winkeljohn, She Fights shines a light on women who have faced life’s toughest battles and emerged stronger. Through compassionate conversations that inspire hope and resilience, Heather reminds us that while every woman fights a different battle, none of us has to fight alone. 

Jackson Wink Gym (website)

If you're interested in learning self-defense:

Smart Girl Self Defense (website)

Disclaimer:
This episode is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to replace professional therapy, counseling, or medical care. Heather Winkeljohn is not a licensed therapist or mental health professional. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Heather Winkeljohn or She Fights or UnstoppableVoicesMedia.com. If you are struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a qualified professional.

If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, contact your local emergency services or, in the U.S., call/text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential.

New Life Ministries (website), a Christian counseling and support ministry providing faith-based care and resources to those in need.