Emily Pike went missing from a group home in Mesa in late January and was found deceased a month later in Gila County. Her grandmother recently shared her feelings with 12 News.

MESA, Ariz.—On Sunday, people from the community came together to remember a young girl whose body was discovered in the woods near Grove.

What happened to Emily Pike?

The circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear, but her grandmother has agreed to speak to 12 News.

“I’m hurt… I’m still sad,” said Agatha Kui, Emily’s grandmother. “I cry a lot.”

On that Sunday, yellow ribbons were tied around poles and trees along a mile-long stretch from Mesa Drive and McKelips Road to Mesa Drive and Brown Road.

“I miss her,” Kui expressed.

She described Emily as a lovely, sweet, quiet girl who consistently achieved good grades.

“I used to take her and her brother to Sunday school,” she recalled.

On February 26, officials in Gila County confirmed to 12 News that a girl’s body found northeast of Grove on February 14 belonged to the 14-year-old Emily Pike, who was part of the San Carlos Apache tribe.

Emily had left the Mesa group home on January 27, and after two weeks of being categorized as a missing person or runaway, parts of her body were discovered.

“It’s difficult to comprehend what happened to her,” Kui said.

The case of Pike’s death is currently under investigation as a murder by both the Gila County Sheriff’s Office and the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department.

As of now, no arrests have been made.

“We’re always working to support and advocate for missing children and their families,” noted a representative from a local task force. “Our goal is to seek justice for Emily.”

They emphasized that the disappearance of children and women is a significant issue in the United States, especially in Arizona.

“I want to raise awareness about this problem,” she said.

Simply hanging ribbons is one way for the community to honor Emily’s life and show her family they are not alone.

Statistics from the National Institute of Justice are staggering.

“Indigenous women are murdered at ten times the national average,” the representative mentioned. “Homicide is the leading cause of death for Indigenous women aged 10 to 24.”

This issue has sparked a movement for awareness.

“Creating awareness is the most effective way to bring people back,” she stated.

Meanwhile, she continues to support Pike’s family.

“We can organize community searches, distribute flyers, and wear signs,” she suggested. “There are many ways for us to work together as a community.”

Each ribbon serves as a reminder of love, memory, and community strength.

“With God’s grace, I just pray,” Kui mentioned. “I believe God will give me strength… my heart is shattered.”

Seeing the yellow ribbons in Emily’s memory was a touching tribute that her grandmother appreciated.

“Thank you for everything you’re doing for her… Please remember her,” Kui added. “Her life was cut short too quickly.”

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office has stated there’s no immediate threat, yet the search for answers in Emily Pike’s case continues.

If anyone has information related to the case, they are encouraged to contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, the Indian Affairs Bureau, or the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office number is (928) 402-4373, the Indian Affairs Bureau can be reached at (202) 208-5116, and the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police’s number is (928) 475-1700.