Community demands justice for slain San Carlos Apache teen

Family, organizers, and advocates gather one year after 14-year-old Emily Pike's body was found in Gila County.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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One year after 14-year-old Emily Pike, a San Carlos Apache girl, was found dead in Gila County, her family, community organizers, and advocates gathered to honor her memory and demand justice. The memorial walk and rally featured chants, drumming, and calls for accountability in the unsolved case.

Why it matters

Emily Pike's murder remains unsolved, highlighting the ongoing issue of violence against Native American women and girls. The community is seeking answers and pushing investigators to pursue all leads, as they fear the case could go cold without more progress.

The details

Emily Pike's body was found in black trash bags in a rural area northeast of Globe, Arizona. Her family and supporters believe there are people involved in her death, but the extent of their involvement is unclear. The FBI and Gila County Sheriff's Office are investigating the case, but no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified. A $200,000 reward remains available for information leading to an arrest.

  • Emily Pike's body was found in February 2025.
  • The memorial walk and rally took place on February 15, 2026, one year after her death.

The players

Emily Pike

A 14-year-old San Carlos Apache girl who was found dead in Gila County in February 2025.

Kristopher Dosela

Emily Pike's uncle, who sponsored her through his motorcycle club, Red Rum, after she was placed in a Mesa group home.

Jared Marquez

The organizer of the memorial walk and rally, who led participants in chants focused on visibility and accountability.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The federal law enforcement agency investigating Emily Pike's murder.

Gila County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency investigating Emily Pike's murder alongside the FBI.

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What they’re saying

“It's really upsetting, it's sad, and it's definitely a struggle each and every day to know that this is turning into a cold case.”

— Kristopher Dosela, Emily Pike's uncle (12news.com)

“I want to be mad. I want to go down the dark path, and I want my own type of justice. In reality, I cried because it hurts. It hurts to know in the manner she was found, and you can only imagine what she had been through to be found like that.”

— Jared Marquez, Organizer of the memorial walk and rally (12news.com)

“There's people involved. But again, to what extent are they? Are they going above and beyond to help give this little girl justice?”

— Kristopher Dosela, Emily Pike's uncle (12news.com)

What’s next

The FBI and Gila County Sheriff's Office continue to investigate Emily Pike's murder, and authorities say a $200,000 reward remains available for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

The takeaway

Emily Pike's unsolved murder highlights the ongoing issue of violence against Native American women and girls, and the community is demanding justice and accountability from law enforcement to ensure her case does not go cold.