Arizona Ranks Second In Missing Indigenous Women Cases As Turquoise Alert Law Takes Effect

Arizona ranks second in the nation with missing and murdered Indigenous person cases, according to federal statistics released last year. The state recorded 90 cases of Indigenous people who are missing or unidentified, while ranking first with 42 cases of unidentified deceased people with tribal affiliation.

The crisis has driven state government action through the creation of the Turquoise Alert system, also known as Emily's Law. Governor Katie Hobbs codified the law in May with bipartisan agreement, establishing a statewide alert mechanism to help find missing Indigenous people and other vulnerable individuals.

The law is named after Emily Pike, a 14-year-old San Carlos Apache teen who disappeared from a group home in Mesa in January 2025. Her remains were found in trash bags on Valentine's Day 2025 near Globe. Her case remains unsolved.

Pike's family filed a lawsuit against Sacred Journey Inc., the operator of the group home in Mesa, alleging negligence in care and hiring practices. The facility responded by stating that Pike's parents were neglectful and that she left the group home of her own free will, according to legal filings.

Since the Turquoise Alert launched in July 2025, it has been used once despite hundreds of reports of missing people across Arizona. The first alert helped locate a missing child, marking the first time the system had been activated.

The alert system fills a gap in existing notification systems. Before the Turquoise Alert, Arizona had Silver Alerts for seniors and Amber Alerts for children, but nothing specifically for Indigenous people or other vulnerable populations under age 65.

Phoenix Indian Center CEO Jolyana Begay-Kroupa said the crisis creates extra barriers for Native communities. She noted there are not enough services or resources going out to native communities when it comes to domestic violence and other safety concerns.

Recent cases have included 28-year-old Passion Schurz from the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, whose body was found in a Scottsdale canal in March. Her death remains under investigation. Last November, 16-year-old Challistia Colelay from the White Mountain Apache tribe was found dead in Whiteriver. A Turquoise Alert did not go out for Colelay when she went missing in October because the investigating agency did not request one, according to Department of Public Safety officials. Investigators believe foul play was involved.

An 8-year-old named Maleeka Boone, known as Mollie, received a Turquoise Alert in January after she went missing in the Coalmine area of the Navajo Nation. She was found dead after a hit and run incident. No arrests have been made in that case.

The Turquoise Alert system notifies everyone in the area when law enforcement has exhausted all other resources. The GPS-enabled alert reaches thousands or hundreds of thousands of people, widening the search network to help bring missing individuals home sooner.

Before the alert system, authorities relied on billboards, flyers, and search parties. The Turquoise Alert is immediate and reaches a much larger audience, bringing missing people's names to the media and encouraging community involvement.

Emily's Law was designed to reduce cases like Pike's. Before her case, there were no statewide alerts exclusively for missing Indigenous people in Arizona. Her story has intensified conversations around Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, a crisis that families have raised concerns about for decades.

Pike's family hopes the law will help other families find their loved ones much quicker. Her uncle, Allred Pike Jr., said making sure Pike's murderers are caught is essential to let all Indian Country know their lives matter.

The law has also prompted broader recognition that Indigenous families are waiting for answers. Pike's story forced acknowledgment that other people on reservations and in tribal communities are still missing and need justice.

Legislation alone does not define the legacy of the crisis. Continued oversight, accountability, and commitment from communities and lawmakers are essential to ensure no other child falls through the cracks, according to United National Indian Tribal Youth executive director Mary Kim Titla.

The case has also pushed scrutiny of group home oversight, placement practices, and cultural disconnection for Native youths in care. Cultural competency training for staff and more Native foster parents are among the recommendations that have emerged from Pike's case.