Staffing challenges within the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are hindering investigations into cases of missing and murdered Native Americans, according to a recent federal audit and advocates familiar with the issue. The bureau’s Missing and Murdered Unit, established in 2021 under President Joe Biden’s administration, was created to address longstanding violence against Native Americans and to improve resolution rates on cold cases. However, persistent personnel shortages and administrative hurdles have stalled many investigations, leaving families without closure.
One such case involves Peter Martin, who disappeared two years ago from the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. His family reports the investigation has made little progress since the BIA agent initially assigned to the case left the role in early 2025 and has not yet been replaced. A family friend, Kayla Jackson, stated that the position remains vacant, and communication from the bureau has effectively ceased.
The federal audit, released September 9 by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General, highlights critical staffing shortfalls hampering the unit’s ability to manage a growing workload. The Missing and Murdered Unit reportedly had 83 open cases and nearly 400 referrals pending as of November 2024, but lacked a clear timeframe for case assessments. Nearly half of the unit’s positions remained unfilled last year. The bureau overall has lost about one-third of its workforce since staffing cuts under the Trump administration.
Despite an increase in federal funding—from $12 million in 2021 to $17 million in 2024—the audit found that 39 percent of these funds were redirected to other BIA law enforcement expenses, such as vehicle upgrades. Agents handling investigations frequently face unmanageable caseloads and administrative duties, including researching new referrals, which detracts from their investigative capacity. The bureau acknowledges these challenges and says it has taken steps to streamline case processing and enhance staff training on victim service requirements, though the audit indicates that significant hiring obstacles remain.
Family members of missing or murdered Native Americans describe frustration over limited communication and support. Grace Bulltail, whose niece Kaysera Stops Pretty Places was found deceased near the Crow Reservation in 2019, said an assigned agent was difficult to contact and rarely provided updates. Bulltail later discovered the agent lacked full access to local investigative files and was reassigned to different duties before meaningful progress could be made.
The audit also found that in eight of 13 cases reviewed, agents did not engage with designated victim specialists within the bureau. Limited victim support staff nationwide means families are often referred to outside programs rather than receiving direct assistance.
Experts and advocates note that tribal police, who frequently are first responders in these cases, often operate with limited resources and insufficient capacity to handle complex investigations. Sarah Deer, a law professor at the University of Kansas, questioned whether federal funds might be more effectively used if allocated directly to tribal authorities.
David Adams, an Albuquerque-based attorney and member of the Sault Ste. Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians, described the bureau’s response as inadequate, emphasizing the ongoing impact on families seeking answers. The audit underscores systemic issues within the Missing and Murdered Unit as it seeks to fulfill its mandate amid funding constraints, staffing shortages, and coordination challenges across federal and tribal agencies.