2 in mass grave were slain

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Authorities have released the first two autopsies of the 11 people found in a mass grave in the desert on the edge of Albuquerque.

The results confirm that 31-year-old Cinnamon Elks and 22-year-old Michelle Valdez, both of Albuquerque, were victims of homicide.

The women's remains, along with those of Valdez's fetus and nine other adults, were found in February at a 92-acre construction site that was being leveled in preparation for a subdivision. Four of the victims have yet to be identified.

The two autopsy reports released yesterday by the state Office of the Medical Investigator say authorities were unable to determine a specific cause of death for Elks or Valdez, but they say the two were killed by "undetermined homicidal violence."

Valdez's autopsy said she suffered a head injury at the time of her death, but that the injury wasn't fatal.

"No injuries that might explain her death were found on extensive examination of the remains," the autopsies for both women said.

Valdez's body was released to her family this week. Her funeral is scheduled for today, police said.

Elks and Valdez, and several of the other victims, had a history of drug addiction and prostitution, police said. *