Man Pleads Guilty in Disappearance of Navajo Grandmother Ella Mae Begay

Preston Henry Tolth could face up to 5 years in prison for robbery in the case that has highlighted violence against Native Americans

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a torn piece of fabric or broken object related to the Ella Mae Begay disappearance case, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, investigative aesthetic.A stark, gritty image of physical evidence from the Ella Mae Begay disappearance case, highlighting the need for justice and closure for Native American families.Edgewood Today

A man charged in the disappearance of Navajo grandmother Ella Mae Begay has pleaded guilty to robbery as part of a new plea agreement with prosecutors. Preston Henry Tolth, 26, acknowledged using force to take Begay's pickup truck, striking her in the face, and leaving her on the side of the road before driving away and selling the vehicle. Begay's family says prosecutors negotiated the agreement against their wishes.

Why it matters

Ella Mae Begay's disappearance has drawn national attention and highlighted the crisis of violence and missing persons cases in Native American communities. Tribal leaders and victim advocates have been pushing for more law enforcement resources and cooperation between tribal and federal investigators to address this ongoing issue.

The details

In 2021, 62-year-old Ella Mae Begay vanished from Sweetwater, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Tolth, whose father was dating Begay's sister, was identified as a suspect early on. Under the new plea agreement, Tolth acknowledged using force against Begay, striking her in the face, and leaving her on the side of the road before driving away and selling her truck. The agreement protects Tolth from future murder or manslaughter charges related to Begay's case.

  • Ella Mae Begay, 62, vanished in 2021 from Sweetwater, Arizona.
  • In 2022, Begay's niece Seraphine Warren walked from the Navajo Nation to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about her aunt's disappearance.
  • On April 17, 2026, Preston Henry Tolth pleaded guilty to robbery as part of a new plea agreement.

The players

Preston Henry Tolth

A 26-year-old man charged in the disappearance of Ella Mae Begay who has pleaded guilty to robbery as part of a new plea agreement.

Ella Mae Begay

A 62-year-old Navajo grandmother who vanished in 2021 from Sweetwater, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation.

Seraphine Warren

Ella Mae Begay's niece who walked from the Navajo Nation to Washington, D.C. in 2022 to raise awareness about her aunt's disappearance and the high rate of homicides and missing persons cases in Indian Country.

Gerald Begay

Ella Mae Begay's son who plans to attend the next court hearing to ask the judge to reject the plea agreement in hopes that Tolth can be put on trial.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, your honor.”

— Preston Henry Tolth

“Accountability is not time served. It's about truth, and we still don't have the truth.”

— Seraphine Warren, Ella Mae Begay's niece

What’s next

The judge is scheduled in May to review the latest plea agreement, which also protects Tolth from future murder or manslaughter charges in relation to Begay's case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing crisis of violence and missing persons cases in Native American communities, and the continued need for more law enforcement resources and cooperation between tribal and federal investigators to address this issue.