TUBA CITY, Ariz. (AP) — An 8-year-old girl who went missing on tribal lands in northern Arizona was found dead Friday, authorities said. Navajo Nation officials say Maleeka Boone was last seen Thursday evening in the Coalmine Canyon area, located 240 miles (386 kilometers) north of Phoenix. A spokesperson for the FBI, which is conducting the investigation with tribal police, declined to provide details of her death. A Navajo Police Department spokesperson said they did not have any further information. In a social media video, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed deep sorrow, stating, “This tragedy weighs heavy on my heart.” Her disappearance prompted the issuance of a Turquoise Alert, a specialized system aimed at locating Native Americans who go missing. In Arizona, the legislation creating the alert was named “Emily’s Law” in memory of Emily Pike, whose remains were found earlier this year after she went missing from a group home in Mesa. Pike's case has sparked renewed activism for raising awareness about the disproportionate number of disappearances and violent deaths affecting Native American communities.
Tragic Discovery: Missing 8-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Northern Arizona
Authorities confirm the death of Maleeka Boone, an 8-year-old girl who went missing in Coalmine Canyon, a remote area of Navajo Nation in northern Arizona. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Native American children and the effectiveness of missing person alert systems.
Maleeka Boone, an 8-year-old girl, was found dead after going missing in Coalmine Canyon, northern Arizona. Her disappearance led to a Turquoise Alert, a Native American-specific missing persons alert. The tragic event has reignited discussions surrounding the safety of Indigenous peoples and the legislative efforts to address the alarming rates of disappearances. The FBI is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
