The makeshift memorial dedicated to Emily Pike, a young Arizona teenager whose life was tragically cut short, has been dismantled in Mesa, leaving advocates rallying for a more permanent tribute to honor her memory.
Since February, the memorial had stood at the crossroads of Mesa Drive and McKellips Road, marking the spot where 14-year-old Emily’s remains were tragically discovered. It served not only as a place of remembrance but also as a silent appeal for justice, keeping her story alive within the community.
However, the sudden removal of the memorial left many questioning who was responsible. Initial reports from city officials in Mesa clarified that they were not involved in its removal, leaving the community in search of answers.
It was later revealed by FOX 10 Mesa that the property owner, who preferred to remain off-camera, had dismantled the memorial. His reasoning was simple: the tribute had been erected without prior permission. In an effort to be considerate, he placed the memorial items in a bin, unsure of whom to contact for their retrieval.
For Emily’s advocates, who remain committed to maintaining public awareness of the unresolved case, the memorial was more than just a shrine; it was a powerful reminder of the young life lost and a call for answers. They believe a permanent memorial would serve as a lasting tribute to Emily while keeping her story in the public consciousness.
In a show of resilience and support, a group of Emily’s supporters returned to the site on January 2, adorning it with balloons, teddy bears, and garlands, determined to preserve her memory in the face of adversity.
“They took all her things out of the trash, and they put them back up,” advocate Celeste Bonito-Nash told FOX 10. “This memorial keeps Emily Pike’s name in their mouth. This keeps her alive.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, police found some of Emily’s dismembered remains on Valentine’s Day, stuffed in trash bags and left along U.S. 60, northeast of Globe. Some of her remains have never been found.
Emily was last seen alive January 27 near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road, after fleeing a group home.
For her safety, social workers removed Emily from her mother’s custody after a family member is said to have sexually assaulted her.
Court documents obtained by FOX 10 indicated that Emily ran away three times in 2023. She told police about her dissatisfaction with life at the group home and pleaded to not return. She reportedly tried to take her own life while at the group home, by tying a shoelace to a doorknob and cutting her wrists.
Following her death, the FBI announced a reward for information leading to any culpable parties.
“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,” FBI spokesperson Kevin Smith said in an email to AZ Central.
The FBI’s announcement on May 7 followed a meeting between FBI Director Kash Patel and Emily’s family, where Patel committed to raising awareness and pursuing answers in her case.
Governor Katie Hobbs announced an additional $25,000 reward in April, during a ceremonial bill signing for Emily’s Law, which will create a “turquoise alert” system for missing Indigenous people.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe is also offering a $75,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
A task force was formed shortly after the tribe offered the reward.
To assist in the investigation, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office and the San Carlos Apache Police Department have set up an online tip portal where anonymous tips can be submitted through tips411.
Information can also be reported to the Sheriff’s Office at 928-425-4449, option 1, or the San Carlos Apache Police Department at 928-475-1700.
Meanwhile, as Emily’s family hopes the city will consider a permanent memorial, advocate Jared Marquez reminded the public of how authorities found her remains.
“Think about this case specifically and how she was left in trash bags and all that,” Jared Marquez said.
“It’s one thing to clean up and remove the whole thing. But you left it in a trash can, so her picture can be seen, so her stuff can be seen, to let the community know that her memorial is not wanted.”
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Emily Pike/Handout]
