Homicide tips reward climbs to $15,000

Staff report

Curry County Crime Stoppers and an anonymous group of area citizens have combined to offer $15,000 as reward money in hopes of solving Clovis’ most recent homicide.

The cash is for information that leads to the arrest of the person, or persons, responsible for the Nov. 9 stabbing death of Ariel Ulibarri, said Doug Pettigrew, vice president of Crime Stoppers.

Police have said they have no suspects in the case.

Pettigrew said Crime Stoppers board members on Thursday agreed to offer $5,000 in reward money; the rest would come from “concerned citizens of the community who’ve taken it upon themselves to pool some money.”

Ulibarri, 23, was found stabbed to death at Goodwin Lake walking trails.

Pettigrew said Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 575-763-7000. He said tipsters may remain anonymous.

While $5,000 is the most Crime Stoppers may contribute to a reward fund, Pettigrew said the anonymous group will add to that donation in cash.

A statement from the group of citizens that wishes to remain anonymous read:

Anyone wanting to contribute to funds raised by the anonymous group can call 575-762-6384, Pettigrew said.

While police have said they have no suspects, on Wednesday they released names and photographs of two “persons of interest” they want to interview in connection with the slaying.

Clovis Police Chief Steve Sanders said Lloyd Bagwell, 22, and Shannon Buckmaster, 20, remained at large late Thursday afternoon