Nearly a year after the discovery of White Mountain Apache teenager Challistia Lulani “Tia” Colelay’s remains in Whiteriver, Arizona, her death remains unsolved. Authorities ruled her death a homicide following the discovery on Nov. 3, 2025, but no arrests have been made in connection to the case. The White Mountain Apache community is planning a memorial dinner and walk this November to honor Colelay’s memory and raise awareness about the ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Amber Rabon-Luna, who helped organize support efforts, described the memorial dinner as a “spiritual necessity” in Apache culture, a time to honor the deceased and support the family. She stressed the importance of raising community and media involvement to encourage increased law enforcement attention. “She had her whole life ahead of her, but she became one more victim of the ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis before she even had the chance to graduate high school,” Rabon-Luna said.
At the federal level, the BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit continues to confront significant challenges despite recent efforts to address the backlog of unresolved cases. A U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General audit identified persistent issues including staffing shortages, heavy workloads, and a lack of clear case timelines that contribute to delays. As of November 2024, the unit had 83 open cases and 394 pending referrals, with 72% received between 2020 and 2023. The BIA estimates that some 4,200 Indigenous missing and murdered cases remain unsolved nationally.
The audit noted that these shortcomings partly reflect management decisions made between 2021 and 2024. The BIA attributed responsibility differently, citing past leadership failures under the Biden administration while emphasizing improvements initiated under former President Donald Trump’s tenure. The agency stated it is implementing enhanced case intake procedures, reinforcing investigative protocols, expanding partnerships with law enforcement agencies at multiple levels, and deploying advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to address the backlog.
Federal law enforcement efforts have also increased under the Department of Justice’s Operation Not Forgotten, a personnel surge focused on unresolved Indigenous cases, particularly those involving violence against women and children. Launched in 2023 as part of the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, Operation Not Forgotten has yielded notable results during its most recent deployment from April 1 through Sept. 30, 2026. The operation led to 118 arrests, 41 federal charges, identification or location of 25 child victims, and recovery of 72 weapons nationwide. These figures represent significant increases compared to 2025, including a 123% rise in arrests.
Among the highlighted cases are those of Colelay, Navajo girl Maleeka “Mollie” Boone, whose body was found in February 2026 near Coalmine Canyon, Arizona, and San Carlos Apache girl Emily Pike, whose remains were recovered in early 2025. Boone, aged eight, was the subject of a Turquoise Alert before her death. The FBI offers rewards of up to $25,000 for information in cases like Boone’s and others under its “Voices Not Forgotten” initiative, launched in August to address homicides, kidnappings, and missing person cases in Indian Country.
In Arizona’s District, federal indictments include cases tied to the Navajo Nation and Fort Apache Indian Reservation, encompassing violent assaults, arson, and aggravated sexual abuse of a minor.
Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to working with tribal and federal partners to deliver justice and improve public safety in Indigenous communities. He credited the ongoing initiatives with enhancing prosecutorial success and providing support for victims and families affected by violent crimes in Indian Country.