Share this @internewscast.com
A new murder investigation is underway in the same location in Arizona where the partial remains of 14-year-old Emily Pike were discovered by the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.
Emily’s dismembered remains were found by searchers on February 14 in a region north of Globe, close to milepost 277 along Highway 60 on Forest Service Road 355, as previously covered by CrimeOnline. Reports state that her torso and head were placed in contractor trash bags, while her arms and hands are still unaccounted for.
Emily vanished from a group home in Mesa on January 27. She was from the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
The sheriff’s office, along with the FBI and other agencies, has formed a task force to follow up on leads and tips related to the case. It has been disclosed that there is surveillance footage connected to the investigation, although the details of the footage have not been revealed yet.
Deputies identified him as 31-year-old Leo Harry White of Whiteriver. Investigators said they have leads in the case but have not made any arrests.
Gila County officials said the difference between the two deaths is the location of the crime scene.
“It is a little different in that, that one it looks like the homicide actually took place there, where the subject was found in a vehicle. This one with Emily, of course, we believe that she was killed somewhere else and then that is where she was dropped off,” GCSO Lt. Jim Lahti told AZfamily.
Police said there’s no indication at this time that the two deaths are related, but both cases remain open and active.
Meanwhile, the tribe is offering a $75,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the Pike case, 12 News reports. During a vigil last week for Emily, the San Carlos Apache Tribe announced a reward to honor her memory.
In a Facebook post, Terry Rambler, Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, expressed his sentiments, stating, “I am honored and humbled to be here in the memory of Emily Pike. My continued prayers go out to the families of Emily.”
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via Mesa police]
