On July 17th, 2024, a Missing Indigenous Persons Alert was issued by the Colorado Springs Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for 28-year-old Tabitha Verbrugge, a Native American woman who has been reported missing since that morning. Tabitha was last seen around 9:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of S. Tejon Street in Colorado Springs, CO. This area, which is a bustling part of town, has since been under close surveillance as family members, friends, and law enforcement search for any clues that might lead them to her safe return. However, as the days pass, concerns for Tabitha’s safety grow deeper.
The issuance of a Missing Indigenous Persons Alert in Colorado Springs comes with a sense of urgency that highlights the broader issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the United States, particularly Indigenous women, who are disproportionately affected by violence and disappearances. The fact that this alert was issued promptly reflects a growing awareness of the need for immediate action when Indigenous people go missing. Yet, it also brings to light the disturbing realities that Indigenous communities across the nation face every day, where missing persons cases often go underreported or receive less attention compared to other cases.
Tabitha Verbrugge’s Disappearance: A Timeline of Events
The circumstances surrounding Tabitha Verbrugge’s disappearance remain unclear, which has added to the anxiety felt by her family and the wider Indigenous community. According to eyewitnesses, Tabitha was seen leaving the area around S. Tejon Street on the morning of July 17th. She was described as wearing casual clothing, carrying a small bag, and walking alone. What she intended to do or where she was going remains a mystery. Investigators have not disclosed any details about her plans for that day, nor have they released any information regarding who might have been in contact with her before her disappearance.
Tabitha’s family was the first to notice her missing when she failed to show up for an important family gathering later that day. Her mother, deeply concerned by the lack of communication from her daughter, reported her missing that same afternoon. From the outset, Tabitha’s disappearance was treated with seriousness, especially given the knowledge that cases involving Indigenous women often escalate quickly if not acted upon immediately.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Colorado Springs Police Department, quickly issued the Missing Indigenous Persons Alert, recognizing the need for immediate public involvement in the search for Tabitha. The alert has since been broadcast across local and national news outlets, while the case has been added to the national Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) database, a tool that advocates say is vital in addressing the epidemic of missing Indigenous persons.
The Importance of the Missing Indigenous Persons Alert
The Missing Indigenous Persons Alert is a recent development in Colorado and several other states that have recognized the disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearance, and murder among Indigenous communities. It is modeled similarly to AMBER and Silver Alerts, which have been widely used for missing children and seniors, respectively. The goal of this alert is to draw attention to cases like Tabitha Verbrugge’s as quickly as possible, ensuring that time-sensitive leads are pursued with the urgency they deserve.
Historically, many missing Indigenous persons cases have gone unnoticed or have not been prioritized by authorities, leading to delays in investigation and, tragically, fewer resolutions. In 2020, Colorado became one of the states to implement specific measures to combat this issue by establishing the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR). This office works to facilitate communication between law enforcement, Indigenous communities, and federal agencies, providing a clearer pathway for addressing the disparities in how these cases are handled.
Tabitha’s case is emblematic of the need for these specialized alerts and agencies. The challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating missing persons cases among Indigenous communities are multifaceted, ranging from jurisdictional complications—especially for those living on or near tribal lands—to systemic biases that have historically downplayed the seriousness of these disappearances. By issuing the Missing Indigenous Persons Alert, Colorado authorities hope to prevent these issues from hindering the search for Tabitha and bring her home safely.
Tabitha Verbrugge: Who She Is and the Growing Concerns for Her Safety
Tabitha Verbrugge is more than just a missing person—she is a beloved daughter, sister, and friend to many in her community. Her family describes her as a caring, responsible woman who values her relationships deeply and maintains close ties with her Native American heritage. She is well-known in the Colorado Springs area for her involvement in cultural events and community work that promotes awareness of Indigenous rights and traditions. The news of her disappearance has shaken not only her family but also the local Native American community, who have mobilized in support of the search efforts.
Tabitha’s family has been vocal about their growing concerns for her safety, especially considering that she was last seen in an area known to be frequented by a transient population and has experienced recent criminal activity. Given the lack of information about her whereabouts or any known conflicts in her life, the family has urged law enforcement to explore all possible angles in the investigation, including the possibility that she may have been taken against her will.
The involvement of the Indigenous community in the search for Tabitha is significant. Native American groups from across Colorado have come together to organize search parties, distribute flyers, and raise awareness about her disappearance. The hashtags #FindTabitha and #MMIW have been widely shared on social media, amplifying the need for nationwide attention to her case. Activists are also using this moment to remind the public of the ongoing MMIW crisis, which has seen thousands of Indigenous women and girls go missing across the U.S. and Canada over the past several decades.
Law Enforcement’s Role and the Challenges Ahead
The Colorado Springs Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office have assured the public that they are treating Tabitha’s case as a top priority. Investigators have canvassed the area around S. Tejon Street and interviewed potential witnesses who may have seen Tabitha on the day of her disappearance. Additionally, they are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras in hopes of finding a lead that could provide insight into her last known movements.
Despite these efforts, there have been no significant breakthroughs in the case as of yet. The lack of concrete information has made the investigation challenging, and law enforcement officials have acknowledged that time is of the essence. Every hour that passes without new information diminishes the chances of finding Tabitha safely. This reality weighs heavily on her family and the community, who continue to hold out hope while recognizing the gravity of the situation.
Complicating matters further is the historical mistrust that exists between Indigenous communities and law enforcement agencies. Advocates for Indigenous rights have long called for reforms in the way law enforcement handles cases involving Native Americans, citing a lack of communication and understanding of cultural dynamics as major barriers to effective policing. In Tabitha’s case, local Indigenous leaders have expressed a cautious optimism about the attention being given to her disappearance but have also urged authorities to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the investigation.
A Call for Public Assistance and National Awareness
One of the most critical components of the search for Tabitha Verbrugge is public assistance. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated the importance of community involvement in solving missing persons cases, particularly in situations like this where leads are scarce. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information about Tabitha’s whereabouts, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. They have provided the non-emergency dispatch line at 719-390-5555 as a point of contact for tips, and they urge anyone who believes they may have seen Tabitha or has knowledge of her movements on July 17th to report it immediately.
The national media’s attention to the case has been a double-edged sword. While coverage of missing Indigenous persons cases has historically been lacking, Tabitha’s disappearance has gained some traction in the press, largely due to the efforts of activists and Indigenous advocacy groups. However, some fear that the coverage may wane if no new developments emerge in the coming days. Advocates are calling for sustained media attention not only for Tabitha but for all missing Indigenous persons, arguing that the silence surrounding these cases often allows them to go unresolved for far too long.
The Broader Context: The Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
The disappearance of Tabitha Verbrugge is a deeply personal tragedy for her family and community, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the larger crisis facing Indigenous women and girls in the United States. The epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) has gained increasing recognition in recent years, but there is still much work to be done to address the systemic issues that contribute to these disappearances.
According to the Urban Indian Health Institute, Native American women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than other ethnicities, and homicide is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous women. The intersection of poverty, marginalization, and historical trauma creates a dangerous environment where Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by violence and often receive less attention from law enforcement when they go missing.
The MMIW crisis is not confined to any one area of the country—it is a nationwide issue that affects urban and rural communities alike. In Colorado, efforts have been made to address this crisis through legislation and the establishment of task forces like the Colorado Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Task Force. This body works closely with law enforcement, Indigenous leaders, and advocacy groups to improve the reporting and investigation of missing persons cases involving Indigenous people.
Hope, Vigilance, and the Search for Tabitha
As the search for Tabitha Verbrugge continues, her family and community remain hopeful that she will be found safe. They are calling on the public to stay vigilant, to share her story, and to be on the lookout for any signs that might lead to her return. The issuance of the Missing Indigenous Persons Alert has been a crucial step in ensuring that her case receives the attention it deserves, but it is only the beginning.
The broader conversation surrounding missing Indigenous women and the MMIW crisis must continue to gain traction. The public’s involvement in cases like Tabitha’s is critical not only to finding her but also to preventing future tragedies from occurring. As the days go by, her family and community hold on to the hope that their efforts, combined with those of law enforcement and the wider public, will bring her home.
