SCSO continues with 24-year-old unsolved homicide investigation

Remains from 2001 case identified as 1950s wrestler and actor

CUBA — Remains unearthed from a clandestine grave in the Santa Fe National Forest in Sandova…

BERNALILLO — Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office recently announced that its investigation of the unsolved suspicious death of Keeble Wofford, also known as Kimo Mahi, continues.

According to SCSO, in May 2001, hikers in the Santa Fe National Forest in Sandoval County discovered the skeletonized human remains. Recently, because of advances in DNA technology and the work of Texas-based Othram, Inc., the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office positively identified the deceased as Kimo Mahi, an actor and wrestler.

Sandoval County Detective Donald Chewning, who is leading the investigation, stated that Mahi’s family last saw him in 1992, when he left their most recent home in Pueblo, Colorado, to drive to Albuquerque. Mahi briefly owned a restaurant called the Hawaiian Seafood Hut in Albuquerque, the announcement stated.

“Although the identification process has concluded, our investigation continues. Kimo’s death is being investigated as suspicious, and we are asking for the public’s help to understand what may have happened to him.”

Chewning said that law enforcement recognizes that in the past, people may have been hesitant to share information because of loyalty or a concern for their safety or reputation and that priorities and relationships change over time.

“It is not too late to come forward,” Chewning stressed. “Anyone with information can call the dedicated Sandoval County Unsolved Cases tip line, 505-867-7350, comment on the Sandoval County Unsolved Cases Facebook page (facebook.com/sandovalunsolved), or call the FBI tip line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).”

“Kimo Mahi was born Keeble Wofford in 1931. According to news articles and public records, he was a man of large stature and personality, traits that helped make him a fixture in the movies and on the wrestling circuit during his early career. Later, Kimo performed odd jobs to earn a living,” it reads in the announcement.

It added that Kimo’s life was transient during the 1980s and early 1990s. He lived throughout the Southwest, including Arizona, Southern California, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, and maintained ties in those communities.

During this period, it is believed that he had access to multiple vehicles, including a white Cadillac, a brown/tan station wagon and a pull-behind camper. None of these have ever been located.