Authorities have confirmed the identity of human remains discovered last month in Gila County, and the victim was a San Carlos Apache teen who’d been missing since January.
The body of 14-year-old Emily Pike was found dismembered in garbage bags along U.S. 60 — near milepost 277 — northeast of Globe. She went missing from a Mesa foster care facility — less than 100 miles away.
Her death is being investigated as a homicide by the Gila County Sheriff’s Office. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and San Carlos Apache Police are also involved.
No suspects have been named.
In a statement, San Carlos Apache Chairman Terry Rambler shared that the tribe is mourning her “tragic death” and asks for the media to respect the privacy of the family, which has created a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, at the Apache Gold Casino and Resort.
Those with any information about this incident may contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office by calling 928-200-2352, Bureau of Indian Affairs at 505-917-7830 or San Carlos Apache Police Department at 928-475-1755.
