89. The Mysteries of Tara Calico and the Haunted KIMO Theater in New Mexico

Tara Calico is described by her sister, Michele Doel, as a very active, vibrant person who had a bright future ahead of her. But on September 20,1988, Tara left for her usual 34 mile bike ride along Highway 47. She was never seen again. Her presumed death labeled a homicide. Photo: Tara Calico [Investigation Discovery] https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/id-shows/tara-calico-missing-since-1988-spotted-in-polaroid-port-st-joe

10 months after Tara’s disappearance this photo was found in Port St. Joe, Florida. A friend of Tara’s family living in Florida called informing them of the photo that had been released to the local media. After seeing it Tara’s stepfather, John Doel, called the police. The woman in the picture looked just like Tara!  The FBI were called in at this point and the photo caused a media frenzy. Could it be Tara tied up in the back of this van?      CREDIT: VALENCIA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE            https://people.com/crime/tara-calico-polaroid-photo-true-story/                         

According to KAOT action news, investigators revealed that there were new leads in Tara’s case. Lt. Joseph Rowland with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office told Target 7 reporter that a search warrant “relevant to this case” had been carried out at a home in Valencia County. (the warrant is sealed). “She’s certainly not forgotten.” said Lt Rowland. The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information that helps solve this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI. https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Tara_Calico

The theatre was named Kimo – KiMo,” is a combination of two Tiwa (a local tribe) words meaning “mountain lion”, but liberally interpreted as “king of its kind”, and that it is. The original owner Oreste Bachechi, envisioned a very unique southwestern style to his theatre. 

https://www.thingstodopost.org/top-10-concerts-shows-in-albuquerque-new-mexico-nm-536930

In 1951 while the theater was showing a movie the boiler exploding – damaging most of the original lobby and killing little 6 year old Bobby Darnell, who had just gotten to the concession stand. https://alibi.com/feature/25111/The-Definitive-KiMo-Ghost.html                                                                                        

The spirit of Bobby, which continues to linger at the theater, loves to play jokes on the staff, guests, and actors. To appease this little poltergeist, actors leave him toys, trinkets, and donuts in this cubby like room before every performance. This is to ensure their performance will run smoothly. Yes, we actors are a superstitious lot. https://www.abqjournal. com/1081018/ghost-stories-2.html