At a Glance
- 8-year-old Maleeka Boone was discovered dead one day after vanishing from her Navajo Nation neighborhood
- A Turquoise Alert had been issued when she disappeared Thursday evening
- FBI and tribal agencies have locked down the area while investigating her disappearance and death
- Why it matters: The rare child fatality on tribal land has triggered a sweeping multi-agency probe and community lockdown
An 8-year-old Arizona girl reported missing Thursday night has been found dead, prompting a joint FBI-tribal investigation and an immediate lockdown of the rural Navajo Nation community where she lived.
The Navajo Police Department (NPD) announced the discovery on Facebook Friday, Jan. 16, ending a 24-hour search that drew helicopters, search dogs, and scores of volunteers to the remote Coalmine housing area.
Disappearance and Alert
Maleeka Boone was last seen around 6 p.m. on Jan. 15 walking along Cedar Loop in the Coalmine NHA housing cluster, a small settlement in northern Arizona’s Navajo Nation. When the child failed to return home, her family told police that prolonged absence was “out of character.”
Authorities issued a Turquoise Alert, Arizona’s notification system for missing or endangered people under 65, including tribal members. The bulletin described Boone as:
- Native American female
- 4 feet 5 inches tall, 50 lbs.
- Brown eyes, long brown hair styled in French braids
- Last seen wearing a red jacket, blue jeans, and cowboy boots
Search Efforts
By Friday morning, the following agencies had joined the search:
- Arizona Department of Public Safety
- U.S. Marshals Service missing-person unit
- Coconino County Sheriff’s Office
- FBI
- Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation (NDCI)
Community volunteers held a morning briefing, divided into teams, and combed the high-desert terrain. Aircraft and tracking dogs were deployed across the sparsely populated region.
Discovery and Lockdown
The NPD statement Friday did not specify where Boone’s body was located or the manner of death. After the announcement, officials ordered the Coalmine area locked down “until further notice” and asked residents to remain in their homes while investigators continued canvassing the scene.
The FBI established a mobile command post inside the community. NPD said detectives are still piecing together the final timeline of when Boone was last seen by relatives and neighbors.
Investigation Underway
The joint probe is being led by:
- Navajo Police Department
- FBI
- Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact:
- FBI tip line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
- FBI email: tips.fbi.gov
- Navajo Police Department Tuba City District: 928-283-3111 / 3112
Community Reaction
Coalmine residents expressed shock at the tragedy in their tight-knit neighborhood. Local leaders praised the quick multi-agency response while mourning the loss of a young life. The case has reignited conversations about child safety and the unique challenges of policing across the vast Navajo Nation, which spans portions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Key Takeaways
- Maleeka Boone vanished Thursday evening; her body was found Friday
- The 8-year-old’s death is under active investigation by FBI and tribal authorities
- Coalmine remains locked down as agents search for evidence
- Officials have released no details on cause of death or possible suspects
- Tip lines are open for anyone with information
