Arizona investigators search for tips to solve Emily Pike’s murder

PHOENIX — The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is receiving tips and leads around the clock as they continue to investigate the murder of 14-year-old Emily Pike.

“Our detectives are getting calls at least the last few days,” said Lt. Jim Lahti. “They’re getting a lot of calls from people that think they may have seen things or heard some things and those are helpful.”

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The 14-year-old is described by family as a young girl who loved music and had a contagious smile. She was a beloved member of the San Carlos Apache tribe.

But on January 27, she was last seen alive on foot near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road after leaving the group home where she lived.

GCSO says they’ve been able to recover surveillance footage from that area, though they haven’t been so lucky in the area where Emily’s remains were found.

“That’s such a rural area. There no housing. There’s no businesses. It’s just, you know, forest area,” Lahti said.

On February 14, Emily’s remains were found near the US-60 near Globe. Her head and torso were in trash bags. 

But investigators say they do not believe that’s where Emily was killed.

“That is one of the big focuses of the investigation is what happened between the end of January and then February 14 when she was discovered,” Lahti said.

The sheriff’s office announced the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and San Carlos Apache tribal police are assisting in the investigation.

“The FBI will be involved in interviewing family, friends, acquaintances for information. Even the smallest breadcrumb can result in investigative leads. They will also be looking at her electronic footprint,” said Michael Anderson, a retired FBI special agent.

As of Friday night, there are no persons of interest, suspects or arrests. Some of Emily’s remains remain missing, though investigators have stated there is no active threat to the public. 12News asked GCSO how they can assure public safety while the suspect remains at large.

“We don’t have anything that we could point to to say, yes, public should be concerned. Yes, it is concerning when you have a body that that turns up like this, you know, that in and of itself would be of concern. But as far as a serial killer, which is something we were asked about before, do we think this is a serial killer? We don’t have any evidence or anything to indicate that this is part of a series of murders,” Lahti said.

Emily’s murder has sent shockwaves throughout Indian Country and has sparked a greater conversation about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Emily’s name and story are being widely shared to ensure she is not forgotten.

“The detective shared with me they’re getting a lot of calls from people that are like, please don’t let this case die. Keep looking and a lot of concern and care,” Lahti said. “That’s one of the things I would say to the people out there. We appreciate the concern and the care and we have just as much as we pursue this investigation.”

Emily’s cause of death is still being investigated by the medical examiner’s office.

If you have any information about what happened to Emily, you are urged to contact the Gila County Sheriffs Office at 928-200-2352. You can also reach the Bureau of Indian Affairs Special Agent at 505-917-7830 or the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Detective at 928-475-1755.

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