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JULY 6, 2001

Authorities in New Mexico on Thursday booked an 18-year-old for the murder of an openly gay Navajo teen in Colorado.

Fred Martinez Jr., 16, was last seen alive June 16 when he left his home to go to a rodeo on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. Five days later, he was found dead, beaten unrecognizable.

Authorities have not ruled out whether the death may have been motivated by Martinez' race or sexual orientation. Authorites in New Mexico are holding Shaun Murphy -- who has a juvenile arrest record -- in a Farmington jail until he can be extradited to Colorado.

Martinez, known to friends F.C., was buried in Cortez yesterday.

Get the Story:
Suspect arrested in Cortez killing (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 7/6)
Slain gay Cortez teen buried (The Denver Post 7/6