Tragic Discovery: Missing Navajo Girl Found Dead

Mon Jan 19 2026 06:04:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Navajo community mourns the loss of Maleeka Boone, an 8-year-old girl found dead after going missing in northern Arizona. Authorities are investigating while calls for greater awareness of Native American safety continue.

Maleeka Boone, an 8-year-old girl from tribal lands in northern Arizona, has been found dead after disappearing in the Coalmine Canyon area. Her death has prompted significant grief from the Navajo Nation, with President Buu Nygren calling it a devastating tragedy. The investigation is being handled by the FBI and tribal police, following the implementation of a Turquoise Alert for Native American missing persons. This event has reignited discussions surrounding safety and awareness for Indigenous communities amidst their ongoing struggles with violence and disappearances.

TUBA CITY, Ariz. — An 8-year-old girl named Maleeka Boone, who went missing on tribal lands in northern Arizona, was found dead on Friday. This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Navajo Nation, prompting widespread mourning.

Maleeka was last seen Thursday evening in the Coalmine Canyon area, a remote location approximately 240 miles north of Phoenix. Law enforcement officials, including the FBI and Navajo Police Department, are currently investigating her death, although details remain scarce.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed his profound sorrow through a social media video, stating, This tragedy weighs heavy on my heart. His words resonate deeply in a community that has recently faced heightened awareness surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous persons.

Her disappearance led to the issuance of a Turquoise Alert, a system established to notify communities when Native Americans go missing, a response to the critical levels of violence and disappearance affecting Indigenous populations.

This alert system was initially inspired by cases like that of Emily Pike, whose untimely death sparked activism focusing on the safety of Native Americans. Legislative changes have been made in Arizona to address these urgent concerns, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to protect and advocate for Indigenous communities.