Arizona authorities announced on Thursday that dismembered human remains found earlier this month belong to a 14-year-old girl who vanished in January.
KKTV reported that the Mesa Police Department confirmed on Friday that the body parts belong to Emily Pike. Pike, who disappeared from Mesa on January 27, was found dismembered in trash bags off U.S. Highway 60 on Valentine’s Day.
The Gila County Sheriff’s Office identified the decedent as Pike on Thursday, a day before Mesa police’s confirmation. Pike is part of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and Gila County police are handling the ongoing homicide investigation.
According to KKTV, Pike’s arms and hands are missing. An autopsy indicated she suffered facial and head trauma.
Police said Pike’s head, torso, and legs were located in separate bags.
Gila County police said information regarding the human remains was leaked online before it was ready to be disclosed to the public.
“It was decided that further information needed to be investigated,” they said in a post. “Unfortunately, the information on Facebook was intended for only Law Enforcement Agencies and was leaked.”
KPHO reported that San Carlos Apache police are also assisting in the investigation. Police said there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with information regarding this case should call Gila County police at 928-200-2352, the Bureau of Indian Affairs at 505-917-7830, or the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police at 928-475-1755.
[Feature Photo: Mesa police]
