Tragic discovery in Arizona as body found in search for missing eight-year-old girl

The 8-year-old girl was found dead on Friday, January 16, authorities said

The search for an eight year old girl who vanished on tribal lands in northern Arizona has come to a tragic end after a body was found.

The heartbreaking discovery was made on Friday, January 16, according to authorities.

Navajo Nation officials reported that Maleeka Boone was last seen on Thursday evening in the Coalmine Canyon area, a location 240 miles north of Phoenix in the United States.

Details surrounding her death have not been disclosed by the FBI spokesperson, who is working alongside tribal police on the investigation. An email message was left with a tribal police spokesperson by The Associated Press.

In a social media video, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed his devastation over Maleeka’s death. “This tragedy weighs heavy on my heart,” Nygren stated, reports the Mirror.

Her disappearance triggered a Turquoise Alert, an alert system specifically for missing Native Americans.

In Arizona, the legislation that established this alert is known as “Emily’s Law”, named in memory of Emily Pike. Her remains were discovered on February 14, over 100 miles (161 kilometers) from a group home she had left in Mesa, Arizona.

Pike’s death ignited renewed activism aimed at raising awareness about the alarmingly high number of disappearances and violent deaths plaguing Native American communities for decades. This led lawmakers to amend the bill in recognition of her.

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