The family of Emily Pike, a 14-year-old girl found murdered, has revealed troubling insights into her life, detailing a history of alleged sexual assault and systemic failures that they say could have contributed to her untimely death. According to FOX10 Phoenix, Emily suffered an assault on the San Carlos Apache reservation, a claim which has yet to see anyone charged. Her family posits that this unresolved trauma was a significant factor that led to her being placed in a group home, wherein she faced further challenges. “We wanted to have her live with us and just give her the love and just be there for her,” said Trinnie Pike, Emily’s aunt.
After Emily was reported missing in January 2025, her body was discovered a month later, triggering a complex murder investigation that spans multiple jurisdictions. Her uncle, Allred Pike Jr., expressed dismay at the lack of updates and concerns over the investigative process, telling FOX10 Phoenix, “I’d feel more comfortable if the federal, if the FBI had taken the lead on this case.” The Gila County Sheriff’s Office, however, has clarified that they were not the lead investigators in the prior sexual assault case and have not identified specific suspects or individuals of interest in her murder.
Before her death, Emily’s placement into foster care was precipitated by the sexual assault allegations. The handling of these allegations by tribal Game and Fish officers has raised questions among her relatives about the efficacy of the criminal justice response. In a statement obtained by ABC15, Allred Pike queried, “If there was a breakdown, then why?” The relatives’ concerns are underscored by police reports documenting Emily’s repeated attempts to flee the group home, and a suicide attempt, that further illustrates a narrative of a young life tormented by unaddressed traumas and systemic shortcomings…