GRAPHIC: Body of missing 14-year-old girl found dismembered off highway, authorities say

Published: Feb. 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM MST|Updated: Feb. 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM MST
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GLOBE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) - The Gila County Sheriff’s Office said on Thursday that the body that was found in the woods belonged to a missing Native American girl.

According to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, the girl was identified as 14-year-old Emily Pike, who was last seen on Jan. 27 near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road.

The Gila County Sheriff's Office confirmed the victim was identified as 14-year-old Emily Pike.
The Gila County Sheriff's Office confirmed the victim was identified as 14-year-old Emily Pike.(Mesa Police Department)

Deputies said Emily was from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and the Gila County Sheriff’s Office is leading the homicide investigation.

Authorities called the scene disturbing where they discovered the teen’s body off the U.S. 60, a few miles away from the Jackson Butte Recreation area on Feb. 14.

The sheriff’s office said detectives found a head and torso in large contractor trash bags with the girl’s legs in separate bags.

However, they couldn’t find her arms and hands.

The body found about 20 miles northeast of Globe earlier this month belonged to a Native American girl reported missing by Mesa police, investigators say.

The preliminary autopsy results found the girl had visible face and head trauma.