Latest news with #GilaCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Family of Emily Pike says murdered 14-year-old was a sexual assault victim before the murder occurred
The Brief Family members of Emily Pike are saying her murder was not the only tragedy she faced. They say Emily was the victim of a sexual assault on the San Carlos Apache reservation before her murder ever occurred. Her family now wonders if she would still be alive if the sexual assault was ever solved. GILA COUNTY, Ariz. - Emily Pike's family says the sweet, loving girl they knew from birth faced demons in the last years of her life they want to bring to light. One of those was a reported sexual assault on the San Carlos Apache reservation. No charges were ever filed and her paternal aunts and uncle wonder how things could be different if someone was held responsible. What they're saying "Would she have been sent to a group home if this individual had been charged and did some time?" said her uncle, Allred Pike Jr. The family says any investigation now into the alleged sexual assault does not detract from the homicide case. "That murder investigation is happening off the reservation and with what happened with her on the reservation, that's a different jurisdiction to where the tribe has the jurisdiction and the authority to look into what happened and why that case fell through the cracks," Pike Jr. said. Emily's aunts, who both live out of state, say they were trying to take Emily in for years. "We wanted to have her live with us and just give her the love and just be there for her," said aunt Trinnie Pike. "I just wanted her because I just couldn't imagine what it was like, or what it is like to be in a group home. A lot of things crossed my mind," said aunt Carolyn Pike-Bender. Carolyn, sharing that a suicide attempt by Emily at the group home in late 2023 forced the issue for her. "They had told me what had happened with the shoestring and the closet incident and that just broke my heart and immediately it's like 'can she just come with us? Can we just take her in?'" said Pike-Bender. Big picture view The family is now questioning why they've received no updates in Emily's murder case. "I'd feel more comfortable if the federal, if the FBI had taken the lead on this case. I believe with their resources and the manpower they have, you never know, they may be or could've been further along in this case," said Pike Jr. What's next Justice - now two-fold - as the family hopes for answers not only in her death but in the reported sexual assault. "Every day we pray, no matter where we're at, no matter where we are. It's like a silent prayer is always said because I do want that person to be caught and you know, we want justice from before and after and any way that she was hurt," said Pike-Bender. The Gila County Sheriff's Office says they were not the lead investigators on the reported sexual assault. They also said there are no specific suspects or persons of interest in the murder investigation at this time. Local perspective The San Carlos Apache Tribe said they will be launching an independent investigation into the sexual assault allegations. The Gila County Sheriff's Office provided the following statement:
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Death of Emily Pike, teen found dismembered in Arizona, spurs calls for regulation of group homes
A Native American tribe in southeastern Arizona is pushing for tighter regulations on state-licensed group homes after a 14-year-old girl was found dismembered weeks after sneaking out her bedroom window. The San Carlos Apache Tribe said Monday it sent a resolution to Gov. Katie Hobbs and other state officials requesting an investigation and legislative reform in response to the death of Emily Pike. Pike's dismembered remains were found in garbage bags near a remote forest road on Feb. 14, nearly 3 weeks after she left her Mesa group home, the tribe said in a news release. No arrests have been made and the Gila County Sheriff's Office, the investigating agency, has released few details about the case. In a March 18 Facebook post, the sheriff's office said it was seeking the public's assistance with information. "This crime must not go unsolved. Emily was murdered in a cruel, depraved and heinous act and the perpetrator(s) must be held accountable," tribe chairman Terry Rambler said in a March 21 letter that accompanied the resolution. Pike was placed at the group home by the tribe's social services department. Her uncle, Allred Pike Jr., 50, declined to tell NBC News what led to her being placed there. He said he initially believed his niece was trying to get back to the reservation where her mother lives. Her remains were found about 100 miles from the group home, the tribe said. It is offering a $75,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. A program director for the group home, Sacred Journey Inc., said there are rules regarding when youth can leave. "We definitely need to know who, what, where, when are you coming back. We need to meet these people who you're going with, have conversations, realize that they're real individuals, not just somebody you're making up," the program director said. "You're not going to go to your friend's house and there's no parents there, stuff like that." When a resident leaves without permission, the group home alerts state agencies and contacts law enforcement. Local media outlets reported that the teen had snuck out her bedroom window. Pike's uncle said her death has been very difficult for the family. "The way she was found, it was unbelievable because you don't hear or see anything like that from where I'm from," he said in a phone call. "Her being deceased is one thing, but the way that she was found was another thing. It's hard to comprehend that someone would do such a thing to a 14-year-old girl." He said he wants his niece to be remembered as someone who loved her mom and siblings and liked to draw. "She wanted to go to college," he said. "Even though things may have been difficult at times, she had goals. She had a full life ahead of her, and her life was cut short." This article was originally published on
NBC News
25-03-2025
- NBC News
Death of Emily Pike, teen found dismembered in Arizona, spurs calls for regulation of group homes
A Native American tribe in southeastern Arizona is pushing for tighter regulations on state-licensed group homes after a 14-year-old girl was found dismembered weeks after sneaking out her bedroom window. The San Carlos Apache Tribe said Monday it sent a resolution to Gov. Katie Hobbs and other state officials requesting an investigation and legislative reform in response to the death of Emily Pike. Pike's dismembered remains were found in garbage bags near a remote forest road on Feb. 14, nearly 3 weeks after she left her Mesa group home, the tribe said in a news release. No arrests have been made and the Gila County Sheriff's Office, the investigating agency, has released few details about the case. In a March 18 Facebook post, the sheriff's office said it was seeking the public's assistance with information. "This crime must not go unsolved. Emily was murdered in a cruel, depraved and heinous act and the perpetrator(s) must be held accountable," tribe chairman Terry Rambler said in a March 21 letter that accompanied the resolution. Pike was placed at the group home by the tribe's social services department. Her uncle, Allred Pike Jr., 50, declined to tell NBC News what led to her being placed there. He said he initially believed his niece was trying to get back to the reservation where her mother lives. Her remains were found about 100 miles from the group home, the tribe said. It is offering a $75,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. A program director for the group home, Sacred Journey Inc., said there are rules regarding when youth can leave. "We definitely need to know who, what, where, when are you coming back. We need to meet these people who you're going with, have conversations, realize that they're real individuals, not just somebody you're making up," the program director said. "You're not going to go to your friend's house and there's no parents there, stuff like that." When a resident leaves without permission, the group home alerts state agencies and contacts law enforcement. Local media outlets reported that the teen had snuck out her bedroom window. Pike's uncle said her death has been very difficult for the family. "The way she was found, it was unbelievable because you don't hear or see anything like that from where I'm from," he said in a phone call. "Her being deceased is one thing, but the way that she was found was another thing. It's hard to comprehend that someone would do such a thing to a 14-year-old girl." He said he wants his niece to be remembered as someone who loved her mom and siblings and liked to draw. "She wanted to go to college," he said. "Even though things may have been difficult at times, she had goals. She had a full life ahead of her, and her life was cut short."
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Task force created for Emily Pike case; family hopes $75K reward will lead to information
In February 2025, Gila County Sheriff's Office found the dismembered body of San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike. Now, a multi-agency task force hopes to catch her killer. Emily, 14, was last seen in Mesa near her group home at Mesa Drive and McKellips Road in late January. Officials and family said that her body was found dismembered in a forested area near Globe, almost 100 miles away from where she was last seen. As of Monday, the cause and manner of death were still pending, according to the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office, which investigates deaths in Gila County. It is unknown why Emily left the group home and how she ended up in Globe. "There's two things that we know — where she was last seen and where they found the body," said Allred Pike Jr., Emily's uncle. He said the lack of answers from authorities was frustrating but urged patience, noting that "it takes a long time to fill in the blanks." No suspects or persons of interest had been identified in her case as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Gila County Sheriff's Office, which is the lead agency in the case. The Sheriff's Office said they have surveillance video that could be helpful but did not provide details about what the video contained and when and where it was taken. The Sheriff's Office announced that multiple agencies joined to form a task force for Emily's case on Monday. The unnamed task force will include the Sheriff's Office, the San Carlos Apache Police Department, the Mesa Police Department, the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The agencies were working together before the task force was announced. The creation of the task force came shortly after the San Carlos Apache Tribe announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Emily's case. "If we let this movement die down, it means the investigators and whatnot, they might not push forward or as hard in investigating trying to get the killer or killers," said Pike, hopeful that the reward will urge someone to come forward with information. Emily Pike: It's been 1 month since Indigenous teen Emily Pike of Mesa was found dead. Here's what we know The Gila County Sheriff's Office and the San Carlos Apache Police Department also created an online tip portal for information regarding the case. Those with information regarding Emily's case are encouraged to provide an anonymous tip at tips411. People can also contact the Sheriff's Office at 928-425-4449, option 1, and the San Carlos Apache Police Department at 928-475-1700. The Sheriff's Office confirmed a body was found near the same place off U.S. 60 in September 2021. The man from Whiteriver was shot in his vehicle, the agency said. Detectives listed this homicide as a cold case. The Sheriff's Office did not believe the cases were related. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Task force created, $75K reward offered in Emily Pike case
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Yahoo
Death of Apache teen Emily Pike creating resurgence in missing Indigenous people movement
Emily Pike knew life was precious. When her cat died, she was devastated and always asked her aunties for another one, her uncle Allred Pike Jr. said Saturday during a vigil to remember the teen. "Emily, her story is going to live on," Pike said. "Her life might have been cut short, but her name is being mentioned all over." A 14-year-old member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Emily was found dead on Valentine's Day in the woods outside of Globe after being reported missing from Mesa in late January. Hundreds of people from across Arizona converged Saturday evening on the San Carlos Apache Reservation for a candlelight vigil honoring Emily, who was often described as sweet and soft-spoken. The death of the Indigenous teen has united communities across Arizona and the nation, ensuring her name will not be forgotten as vigils and protests continue one month after authorities first found Emily's body. No suspects or persons of interest were identified in her death as of Thursday, the Gila County Sheriff's Office said. The San Carlos Apache Tribe passed a resolution offering up to $75,000 for information leading to an arrest in Emily's case. On the reservation, hundreds of red handprints dotted a water tank in Periodot, the finishing touches of a mural immortalizing the teen girl. Emily's mother, Steff Dosela, placed the first handprint, said Myron Starr, one of the artists. Painting the mural "woke up a spirit inside me that needed to wake up," said Starr, who is San Carlos Apache. The tank was located 15 minutes east of where the candlelight vigil was held. A group of 30 or so family, friends and strangers linked arms and danced to the beat of a drum as an old Apache song resonated through the chilly night, the adornment on their clothing and shoes tinkling with the movement of their feet. They were hundreds who gathered in the parking lot of the Apache Gold Casino Resort on the San Carlos Apache Reservation to celebrate Emily's life and support her family. Some remained in their cars to stay out of the cold as the sun set. Speakers were met with a chorus of cheers and car horns. Many shared that they related to Emily's family, saying they had relatives who went missing but were never found. More: Indigenous community rallies around slain San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike Emily's brutal death has led to a resurgence of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People movement, one that hopes to keep the spotlight on Emily and the pressure on authorities to find an answer. "It's been a long month for us, (but) we will be loud and continue to be that voice for (Emily)," said Alyssa Dosela, Emily's cousin. She said the family was frustrated by the lack of answers from the Gila County Sheriff's Office but urged patience as the investigation continued. Many attendees painted a red handprint over their mouths, symbolizing the movement which sheds a light on the violence disproportionately affecting Indigenous people. Arizona reported the third highest number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls among states in the U.S., according to data analyzed by the Urban Indian Health Institute in 2018. Emily's death has also ignited an outcry on social media, with many using hashtags like #JusticeforEmilyPike, #NoMoreMMIW and #SayHerName, to bring more visibility to her case and missing and murdered Indigenous people. As the evening grew dark, flickering candles and bright phone flashlights illuminated the parking lot. The crowd chanted calls for justice. Pike, Emily's uncle, ended his speech at the vigil with a call and response, his energy and emotions infecting the crowd. "Say her name," he yelled into the microphone, his voice raw. "Emily Pike!" the crowd shouted back. Emily was last seen on foot near her group home near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road in Mesa on Jan. 27. Officials said she had run away from the home when she left, with no Amber Alert being broadcasted. Mesa police said there was no indication of an abduction or that she disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Seventeen days later, Emily's remains were found in garbage bags by someone walking in the woods northeast of Globe, the Gila County Sheriff's Office said. Police told the family that Emily's torso and head were found in one bag and her legs in another, said Gail Pechuli, a long-time friend of Emily's family who is San Carlos Apache. Her arms and hands haven't been found, Pechuli said. An internal memo posted on Facebook by the Gila County Sheriff's Office leaked information about the condition of Emily's body when it was found. A spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office said the information was not officially released and declined to comment. Detectives are "vigorously" following leads, a spokesperson for the Gila County Sheriff's Office said, despite no suspects or persons of interest being publicly identified. The family is hopeful the reward offered by the tribe will help in locating the suspect or suspects. Officials have not provided an estimate of how long Emily was dead at the time of her discovery. The cause and manner of death remain under investigation by the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office, which investigates deaths in Gila County. Two federal agencies, the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs, officially joined the investigation on March 5, nearly three weeks after officials found Emily's body. Spokespeople for the FBI and the Gila County Sheriff's Office declined to comment on the involvement of the federal bureaus. The Sheriff's Office remained the lead agency. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact a Gila County Sheriff's Office detective at 928-200-2352, a Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent at 505-917-7830 or a San Carlos Apache tribal police detective at 928-475-1755. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Emily Pike family, community call for justice of slain teen at vigil
