As the White Mountain Apache community grapples with the unsolved murder of Challistia "Tia" Colelay, her family and friends came together on what would've been her 17th birthday to honor her memory and call for justice. Mourners gathered in Whiteriver on Monday, participating in a candlelight vigil filled with songs, prayers, and heartfelt speeches, according to ABC15.
In the wake of this tragic event, a family spokesperson, Jared Jorge Kinney Marquez, emphasized the community’s efforts to sustain one another through the mourning period, a practice deeply rooted in their culture. "She comes from love, kindness, so for this kind of injustice to happen to her is very devastating," Marquez told ABC15. But even as the vigil intended to provide solace, it simultaneously underscored the persistent void left by an absence of resolution - a family and community still needing to see the scales of justice tip.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has reported no arrests in connection to Tia's murder, adding an additional layer of frustration for those who loved her. Tia, fondly remembered for her passion for painting, drawing, and the outdoors, was reported missing in late October. Her body was discovered on November 3 in the Knots Landing area, not far from her home. A $5,000 reward has been offered by the BIA for information leading to an arrest and conviction, as reported by ABC15.
The lack of resources in rural communities like Whiteriver has been pointedly noted by Marquez, who stated the obvious challenges such limitations pose for conducting thorough investigations. "To know that person may still be out in the community is even more devastating to the family, so justice to them is finding the person who committed this crime," Marquez explained to ABC15. Police and the BIA encourage anyone with information to come forward and contact the BIA MMU hotline at 1-833-560-2065 or via email at [email protected].
