Directed by: Melinda Esquibel
Produced by: Mundo Maravilla
Associate Producer: Clear Films
Director of Photography: Danielle Bernstein
Executive Director: RJ Mitte

Synopsis:
On September 20, 1988 at the age of 19, Tara Calico disappeared about 150 yards from the Rio communities golf course near her home in Belen, NM. Until 10 years ago her case was believed to be a kidnapping and received extensive coverage on 48 hours, A Current Affair, Unsolved Mysteries, America’s Most Wanted and The Oprah Winfrey Show. On June 15, 1989, a Polaroid of an unidentified woman and boy, bound and gagged was found in a parking lot at a convenience store in Port St. Joe, Florida. There has been much speculation on whether the young lady in the photo is Tara Calico. After the photo was found the case on Tara Calico had seemed to have gone cold. It was not until the 20th anniversary of Tara’s death in 2008 that the Belen News bulletin published an article stating that Rene Rivera, Sherriff of Valencia County, knew what happened to Tara Calico. Rivera stated that he knew the names of the boys, now men, involved and the parents who helped cover the evidence. Without a body he could not make a conviction. In this documentary we will remember Tara and let the world know what happened to this young woman. Through this we aim to bring forward information to be able to locate her body so that she may finally be put to rest.

Directors Statement:
With the blessing of her stepfather, John Doel, the idea for the documentary was formed out of outrage and frustration when I read the article on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance. Outrage that several of the boys, now men, involved with her death, are alive and well and living in the community; frustration that the boys parents, who were community leaders, would help them cover up this crime. I knew Tara, like most people in the community did, and when I heard of her disappearance I was deeply saddened by it. Over the years we would get bits and pieces of information, basically leading nowhere. We all had hope that maybe one day Tara would show up somewhere and we could watch her grow old and lead a fulfilling and promising life. Just like she was supposed to, just like the rest of us.

That day never came.

It took me a year to decide to do this documentary. There are many important reasons why I shouldn’t do it, but the few reasons on why I should do it out weighted the former and won the argument. When I started out on this journey, I was very determined to tell the world who these people were and to bring them to justice. What I wasn’t prepared for was to actually find out what had happened to her. I think it is important to tell her story to the world for many reasons, but more importantly, I think we should remember Tara, and the beautiful spirit she really was. I also sincerely hope that one day we can find her remains and put her body to rest appropriately.

I have worked on many important causes and projects over the years, but this is one of those projects that actually changes you, and I feel myself changing everyday. I would like to say a special thank you to everyone who is currently donating their time to help move this project forward or helping the project in general. They include: Miguel Govea, Kurt Weiss and ThinkTank LA, Alan McBride, Jorge Montijo, Melissa Balin, my New Mexico friends who feel passionately about it (but have to remain nameless for specific reasons) and those who have yet to come forward.

This project couldn’t move forward without all your help!

If you have any information or would like to speak to us regarding how you knew Tara please email us at: info@TaraCalico.com.