Missing Farmington Man Found Dead

Cavanaugh was last seen in Farmington on July 4, 2019. He was headed to Peoria, Arizona for a job but never arrived. Cavanaugh’s phone was last pinged in Payson, Arizona and a witness stated they saw him in Payson, but no other evidence supported that statement. Cavanaugh’s credit cards were used by two males in Payson, Glendale, and Peoria between July 5 and July 7, 2019.

From Farmington Police:

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The body of missing New Mexico man, Craig Cavanaugh, 44 of Farmington, was identified today in Coconino County, Arizona. Farmington police detectives have been working closely with both Coconino and Navajo County in their search for Craig since he went missing in early July.  Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office are now taking over this case, as a death investigation. There have been two suspects identified in this case, and it is still an active investigation.

Cavanaugh was last seen in Farmington on July 4, 2019. He was headed to Peoria, Arizona for a job but never arrived. Cavanaugh’s phone was last pinged in Payson, Arizona and a witness stated they saw him in Payson, but no other evidence supported that statement. Cavanaugh’s credit cards were used by two males in Payson, Glendale, and Peoria between July 5 and July 7, 2019. Cavanaugh’s 2012 Toyota Tacoma truck was recovered on July 12, 2019. The males using the credit cards were identified by Farmington detectives working with Arizona law enforcement agencies. Craig Cavanaugh’s body was located by Navajo County and Coconino County deputies.

 

More from Local News

  • City Manager Mayes to Retire

     Mayor Duckett has announced his intention to appoint Deputy City Manager Shaña Reeves as the next City Manager at the upcoming City Council “organizational meeting” on January 20. Upon her appointment, if ratified by the City Council, Reeves will officially assume the duties of City Manager in January.

  • Lanier Announces 2026 run for NM Governor

    In 2020, Lanier was elected to the San Juan County Commission, and in 2024, he was elected State Senator for New Mexico's 2nd District. 

  • 2025 General Election Results

    These are unofficial results from the contested races in the 2025 General Election held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025

  • Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

    According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.

  • 2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

    These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 59°F | Low: 30°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 55°F | Low: 27°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 61°F | Low: 32°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 57°F | Low: 32°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 55°F | Low: 32°F