Emily Pike Case: Investigators Seek Answers in the Killing of a 14‑Year‑Old Arizona Girl

Emily Pike’s death has prompted a multiagency response and a combined $200,000 incentive as investigators continue to seek leads. The slain indigenous girl case reward aims to encourage independently verifiable tips that could identify those responsible and move the investigation forward.

Reward Remains For Slain Indigenous Girl Case

On Jan. 27, 2025, a 14-year-old Arizona teen, Emily Pike, crawled out through the bedroom window of her group home in Mesa, Arizona. After crawling out of her window, Emily wouldn’t be seen alive again. About 100 miles away from the group home, the girl’s dismembered remains were found in two trash bags on Feb. 14, 2025, near Forest Road 355 near the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

In speaking with People, Emily’s aunt Carolyn Pike-Bender said, “What happened to her and the way it happened is heartbreaking. It’s a nightmare. It’s a horror movie, and it doesn’t feel real. Even now, it doesn’t feel real.” Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill called “Emily’s Law,” after the girl’s death. The bill would establish an alert system for people in danger and tribal members under 65 who have disappeared in mysterious circumstances in the state.

Emily Pike Disappearance and Recovery

– Date missing: Jan. 27, 2025.

– Last seen: Crawled out of a bedroom window at a group home in Mesa, Arizona.

– Date remains found: Feb. 14, 2025.

– Location of remains: Near Forest Road 355 on state land close to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, roughly 100 miles from the group home.

– Cause of death: Autopsy ruled homicidal violence with blunt head trauma; investigators reported that arms and hands were not recovered.

– Reward: The FBI has offered up to $75,000 for independently verifiable information identifying those responsible. The San Carlos Apache Tribe offered the initial $75,000, The State of Arizona is offering $25,000, and many other agencies and entities have added. Totaling a $200,000 reward for anyone who helps solve the murder of Emily Pike.

Pike Timeline

The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office is working with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, San Carlos Apache Tribal Police, and Mesa Police. The FBI has offered a reward for information in a press release: “The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $75,000 for any person providing independently verifiable information identifying the individual(s) responsible for her disappearance and murder.”

The girl had run away from the group home three times. She was taken home in each of those cases and taken to behavior health center. In one incident in September 2023, Emily was found walking along a canal by police after she was reported missing. In a body cam video from the Mesa Police Department obtained by ABC15, she said, “I just want to see my mom,” and that she didn’t want to return to the group home.

A staff member of the group home called 911 around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2025. Emily had on a pink and gray striped long-sleeved shirt. A former roommate told local reporters Emily left during a church visit, who is being referred to as Chelsea to protect her identity. In speaking with AZFamily, she said, my relationship with Emily was trying to steer her in the right direction because it’s hard being in the group home.”

Last Known Moments Alive

Chelsea lived in the group home near Mesa Drive and McKellips. In addition, Emily lived there two different times. Chelsea added that Emily left because she wanted to see a boy that she liked. She told AZFamily, “What it looked like was that the church was there, and that served as a distraction of when Emily left. She left because she wanted to go out and see the boy she liked, and she wanted to talk to him. She either used the back door or used the window and left as everyone was distracted.”

Based on where the girl’s remains were found, Chelsea believes that she was trying to return home. She said, “I feel like she just ran away, and she was trying to hitchhike back to her reservation to see her parents, and she just got picked up by the wrong person.”