Mesa Property Owner Removes Emily Pike Memorial; Supporters Rebuild Quickly

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The Memorial Rebuilt, But the Debate Continues

A roadside memorial dedicated to Emily Pike was recently rebuilt at a Mesa intersection after it was removed by a property owner, reigniting discussions about the site's future. The memorial, which honors Pike, whose dismembered remains were found in trash bags nearly a year ago, has become a focal point for both supporters and critics.

A Place of Remembrance

The memorial is located at the intersection of Mesa Drive and McKellips Road, the last known location where Pike was seen alive in January 2025. Her remains were discovered near Globe the following month, but her murder remains unsolved. Supporters returned to the corner on January 2 to restore the site after finding that the banners and mementos had been discarded.

Celeste Bonito-Nash, a supporter, shared her thoughts on the significance of the memorial. "They took all her things out of the trash, and they put them back up," she said. "This memorial keeps Emily Pike’s name in their mouth. This keeps her alive."

A Controversial Removal

Jared Marquez, another supporter, expressed his frustration with how the memorial was taken down. "Think about this case specifically and how she was left in trash bags and all that," he said. "It’s one thing to clean up and remove the whole thing. But you left it in a trash can, so her picture can be seen, so her stuff can be seen, to let the community know that her memorial is not wanted."

The Property Owner’s Perspective

The property owner, who chose not to speak on camera, explained that he removed the memorial because it was placed on his land without permission. He also mentioned that he did not know who to contact regarding the situation. According to him, he left the items in a bin so they could be retrieved.

A neighbor raised concerns about the memorial becoming a permanent fixture in the area. "I’m all for having a memorial, I just think there has to be a time limit," the neighbor said. "This is my neighborhood and I see a lot of clutter. I get a lot of litter. This specific memorial has been here since February of 2025. When does it turn from a memorial to litter?"

The Ongoing Case

Supporters argue that the memorial serves as a necessary reminder of a case that lacks closure. They believe that keeping the memory of Emily Pike alive helps keep the investigation in the public eye.

How You Can Help

Pike’s aunt has not yet spoken publicly, but the property owner has reportedly agreed to discuss the site’s future with her. Federal investigators are currently offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the killing. If you have any information, you can contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs to report a tip in this case.