Shiprock Man Charged with Second-Degree Murder

ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man has been charged after authorities say he beat a woman to death following a day of drinking.

According to court documents, on November 15, 2025, Harlan Joe, 21, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, beat Jane Doe to death at a residence in Shiprock, New Mexico after a day of drinking. When officers arrived at the residence, they found Jane Doe deceased outside the house with obvious signs of abuse and trauma and immediately detained Joe. During a subsequent interview, Joe stated that he had known what he was doing and that it was wrong.

Joe is charged with second degree murder and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. Joe faces life in prison if convicted of the current charges.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.