What authorities said
TUBA CITY, Ariz. (AP) — An 8-year-old girl who was reported missing on Navajo Nation land in northern Arizona was found dead Friday, authorities said.
Navajo Nation officials said Maleeka Boone was last seen Thursday evening in the Coalmine Canyon area, located about 240 miles (386 kilometers) north of Phoenix.
FBI and Navajo police declined further details
A spokesperson for the FBI, which is conducting the investigation with tribal police, declined to provide details of her death, an AP report said.
A Navajo Police Department spokesperson also said they did not have any further information.
Navajo Nation president addressed the death
In a social media video, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said Maleeka’s death was devastating.
“This tragedy weighs heavy on my heart,” Nygren said.
Turquoise Alert issued; “Emily’s Law” background
Maleeka’s disappearance led to the issuance of a Turquoise Alert, an alert system for Native Americans who have gone missing.
In Arizona, the legislation creating the alert was referred to as “Emily’s Law” to honor Emily Pike, whose remains were found Feb. 14 more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) from a group home she left in Mesa, Arizona.
Pike’s death spurred a resurgence of activism aimed at bringing more awareness to the disproportionate number of disappearances and violent deaths that have gripped Native American communities for decades, and lawmakers amended the bill to recognize her.