CORTEZ, Colo.-
A Navajo weaver known for her award-winning rugs has been found shot dead in a home south of here, the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities consider Anita Tsosie’s death a homicide and have identified her estranged husband, 53-year-old Herman Tsosie, as a suspect. He was last seen driving a white four-door Ford truck, and authorities consider him armed and dangerous.
Emergency medical personnel responded Monday afternoon after getting a report of a medical problem at the home. They discovered the body of Anita Tsosie, who grew up in Sweetwater, Ariz., and later moved to Cortez.
The sheriff’s office said an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday.
Tsosie marked the third generation of her family to weave rugs, according to her Web site. She earned the best of show and other honors at the 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market and was recognized in 2006 for being the most innovative in her category. She also has earned first place honors at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial over the years.
Tsosie said in a profile posted on the Santa Fe Indian Market Web site that weaving has been her way of life for more than two decades. As a child in Sweetwater, she said she was inspired by her mother’s stories about her grandmother’s weaving skills.
“Passion was discovered when I wove my first rug, thinking this could be an interesting journey,” Tsosie said in the profile. “I love the challenges in creating circles, curves, angles patterns and getting the colors right in a sandpainting rug.”
