Permanent Memorial for Emily Pike Established in Mesa

April 17, 2026

Emma Hughes

Gila River Indian News

MESA, Ariz. —Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone joined the family of Emily Pike, fellow tribal leaders, advocates, the City of Mesa, Mayor and Council members for a special gathering to honor the life of Emily Pike by establishing a permanent memorial installation on March 3, at the Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz.

Emily, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, went missing over a year ago from a group home in Mesa on Jan. 27, 2025. Her remains were found just off highway 60 near Globe on Feb. 14, 2025. No arrests have been made and no suspect(s) have been identified.

The FBI and the San Carlos Apache Tribe are each offering a reward of up to $75,000 for any information leading to the identity of the individual(s) responsible for Emily’s disappearance and murder.

The new memorial site symbolizes Emily’s childhood at the park and the community where she was last seen. The memorial includes a red push pistache tree, a granite plaque with Emily’s picture and an engraved memorial bench that serves as a designated space for reflection and remembrance.

The new location replaces a temporary memorial site that was initially setup near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road, where the 14-year-old was last seen.

Emily’s family has express gratitude to the community for their collective efforts over the past year in raising awareness about her and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) epidemic across the nation. The public is encouraged to organize future days of remembrance of Emily at the park following proper city requests and permits.

The city and family ask that no items be left at the park. Additional memorials for Emily are in San Carlos, Ariz. and at mile marker 277 on Highway 60 near Globe.