True Crime with Kendall Rae: Detailed Summary of "Who Killed Emily Pike? No More Stolen Sisters"

Podcast Information:

• Title: True Crime with Kendall Rae
• Host/Author: Mile Higher Media & Audioboom Studios
• Episode: Who Killed Emily Pike? No More Stolen Sisters
• Release Date: April 17, 2025

Introduction

In this deeply emotional episode of True Crime with Kendall Rae, host Kendall Rae delves into the harrowing case of Emily Pike, a 14-year-old Indigenous girl whose life was brutally taken. Rae emphasizes the critical need for national awareness and systemic change in handling cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG).

Emily Pike's Background

Emily Carla Pike was born on May 16, 2010, into the San Carlos Apache Tribe and resided on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Southeast Arizona. Despite her youth, Emily was portrayed as a vibrant and kind-hearted individual with a passion for K-pop, Roblox, and a dream of becoming a veterinarian. Her loving nature extended to a close relationship with her cousins, whom she referred to as "the trio," highlighting the deep familial bonds that made her loss even more heartbreaking.

“Emily was such a sweet and special little girl. She had a joyful spirit and a quirky personality.”
— Kendall Rae [02:15]

Circumstances Leading to Emily's Disappearance

Emily was living in a group home in Mesa, Arizona, under the care of tribal social services due to mental health struggles. The group home, which collaborates with the Department of Child Services (DCS), had limited capacity, preventing Emily from residing on the reservation. Despite facilities existing on the reservation, high demand and insufficient staffing meant Emily was placed in Mesa.

On January 27, 2025, at 8:19 PM, Emily's group home manager reported to the Mesa Police Department that Emily was absent without official leave (AWOL). Utilizing the distraction of a visiting local church group, Emily managed to slip out through her bedroom window. She was last seen walking near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road around 7:45 PM. Unfortunately, she never returned, and the initial categorization of her as a runaway led to inadequate urgency in her search.

“She did not and could not have known better. Please keep any of that commentary to yourself because it's not helpful to anyone.”
— Kendall Rae [04:30]

Initial Investigation and Handling of the Missing Person Report

The Mesa Police Department treated Emily as a runaway teen, a classification that significantly hindered the immediacy and resources allocated to her disappearance. This oversight was compounded by procedural failures, such as not promptly notifying her family, resulting in a crucial week of lost time that could have been used to locate her.

“They categorized her as a runaway, which isn't entirely untrue. The problem is they used Emily's history of running away as an excuse to not take this seriously.”
— Kendall Rae [12:10]

Discovery of Emily's Remains

On February 14, 2025 (Valentine's Day), civilians reported suspicious trash bags near Highway 60, leading officers from the Gila County Sheriff's Office to discover dismembered human remains in a remote area near Globe, Arizona. The remains were found in contractor trash bags, with the head and torso in one and the legs in another. Emily's body was identified through dental records and a DNA sample provided by her mother, Steph Pike.

“The way the saga of how her disappearance was handled is going to piss you off, or at least it should.”
— Kendall Rae [11:25]

Community and Family Response

Emily's tragic death galvanized her community and the broader MMIWG movement. Vigils and rallies erupted both locally and nationally, demanding justice and systemic reform. Family members, including Emily's aunt and grandmother, voiced their anguish and frustration with the investigative process, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability.

“Our communities here are hurting Native Americans from all over the valley in Mesa to remember 14-year-old Emily Pike.”
— Emily's Aunt [39:29]

Legislative Efforts and Advocacy

In response to Emily's case, legislative actions were accelerated to address the MMIWG crisis. House Bill 22811 was introduced to establish an Amber Alert-style system for missing Indigenous individuals, ensuring they receive the same prioritization as other missing persons. The bill gained unanimous support in both the House and the Senate Public Safety Committee, signaling hope for meaningful change.

“This legislation would create systematic change for the indigenous community.”
— Legislator [43:25]

Additionally, the Not Invisible Act of 2019 and Arizona House Bill 2479 were highlighted for their roles in improving inter-agency communication and mandated reporting of missing or runaway children. Despite these efforts, Kendall Rae underscores that legislative progress requires sustained pressure and community engagement to be truly effective.

Broader Context: The MMIWG Crisis

Kendall Rae provides stark statistics to illustrate the severity of the MMIWG epidemic:

• 84% of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime.
• 56% have faced sexual violence.
• 40% of women involved in sex trafficking are identified as American Indian and Alaska Native.
• Homicide is the third leading cause of death for Native girls aged 15-19 and women aged 20-24.
• Murder rates for Native women are over 10 times the national average.

These figures highlight a systemic issue of violence and neglect disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities.

“There have been endless marches and vigils since the news of Emily's murder broke, which really aimed to highlight these very issues.”
— Kendall Rae [38:15]

Conclusion

Emily Pike's heart-wrenching story serves as a catalyst for addressing the broader crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Kendall Rae emphasizes the importance of national media attention, community support, and legislative action to honor Emily's memory and prevent future tragedies. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to spread awareness, support her family, and contribute to the ongoing fight for justice and systemic reform.

“The deaths of Indigenous people cannot be in vain. There are so many just like Emily that we have to remember and we have to make these changes or this is just going to continue to happen.”
— Kendall Rae [60:13]

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Failures: Emily's case underscores significant shortcomings in the handling of missing Indigenous youths, from misclassification as runaways to delayed family notifications.

• Community Mobilization: The response from Emily's community and allies has been robust, organizing vigils, marches, and memorials to demand justice and raise awareness.

• Legislative Progress: Proposed bills aim to institutionalize better protections and response mechanisms for missing Indigenous individuals, though ongoing advocacy is essential.

• Broader Crisis: The MMIWG epidemic remains a critical issue, requiring continued attention, education, and systemic change to safeguard Indigenous lives.

Supporting Quotes

• Kendall Rae: “Justice for Emily. We need to continue to say her name. We need to continue to spread awareness.”

• Emily's Grandmother: “I wanted to say that I miss you so much.”

• Legislator: “This legislation would create systematic change for the indigenous community.”

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the violence and systemic neglect faced by Indigenous communities. Through in-depth analysis, emotional testimonials, and a focus on actionable change, Kendall Rae's episode not only honors Emily Pike's memory but also champions the fight for justice and equality for all affected by the MMIWG crisis.