ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The widow of a Forest Service firefighter found dead in northern New Mexico says the partial federal government battle has snagged her late husband’s survivor benefits.

Hiedi Adams is the widow of 41-year-old Token Adams. He disappeared Aug. 30 while checking on a report of smoke and was found dead Sept. 6. Investigators say it appears he crashed his ATV.

Hiedi Adams told KOB-TV that a meeting scheduled for Wednesday to finalize her husband’s benefits was canceled because of the shutdown.

She said she’s been told it could be as long as four weeks before the benefits begin.

The single mother of two says she’s making do with donations from the community as she tries to return to Rockport, Maine, to be close to her family.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.