A heartbreaking search through the Navajo Nation ended in tragedy when 8-year-old Maleeka “Mollie” Boone was discovered dead a day after she was reported missing in Coalmine, Arizona. Her disappearance prompted a Turquoise Alert, mobilizing law enforcement and community efforts to locate her.
Disappearance and Urgent Search Efforts
Boone was last seen on the evening of Thursday, January 15, near Cedar Loop in the Coalmine Navajo Housing Authority area, approximately 240 miles north of Phoenix. Concerned family members reported her missing when she did not return home, prompting a Turquoise Alert early the next morning.
The alert—a rapid public notification system for missing or endangered people, particularly tribal members under age 65—spurred a coordinated search involving the Navajo Police Department, the FBI, Arizona Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals and other agencies. Local volunteers also joined the efforts.
Recovery and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities located Boone’s body on Friday, ending the search but beginning a formal investigation into the circumstances of her death. Details about where and how she died have not yet been released, and investigators from multiple agencies continue to work to determine what happened.
In the wake of the discovery, law enforcement placed parts of the Coalmine area under lockdown and asked residents to stay home while the inquiry continues. Officials are urging anyone with potential information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
Community Impact and Awareness
Boone’s death is a devastating loss for her family and the Navajo Nation community. Her case also highlights the use of Turquoise Alerts, a system established to aid in the recovery of missing persons in Arizona, especially within Indigenous communities.
Efforts to raise awareness of missing person alerts and ensure public responsiveness remain a priority as authorities work to prevent future tragedies.
