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Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities. The Missing and Murdered Unit within the Office of Justice Services focuses on analyzing and solving missing and murdered cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives.

American Indian and Alaska Native people are at a disproportionate risk of experiencing violence, murder, or going missing and make up a significant portion of the missing and murdered cases.

The Missing and Murdered Unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) investigates unsolved missing and murdered cases in Indian Country. Upon request by tribal leadership(s), the Unit can assist or provide investigative services to Public Law (P.L) 93-638 Contracted Tribes, Self-Governance Tribes, to include Tribes where BIA/OJS provides direct law enforcement services.

The Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) is available to assist or provide investigative services to Tribes under the Public Law (P.L.) 83-280 status upon request by tribal leadership. Only upon request, the MMU is also available to assist or provide investigative services to state, county, city municipalities law enforcement departments who provide law enforcement services to tribes within their perspective state. This assistance can be provided when Missing and Murdered incidents involve Natives/Alaskan that have occurred outside of an Indian Country.

The MMU Unit may be available to assist with reported “Acute” missing Native/Alaskan Natives. The request must be made from the law enforcement authority (Federal/Tribal/State/County/City) having jurisdiction over a reported case. Other factors for MMU providing assistance could be an agency’s lack of manpower to actively handle the demands of a reported “Acute” missing Native/Alaskan Native case.

Definitions:

An "Acute" missing is defined as a case to where life or imminent danger exists to the individual(s) and time is critical.

The term Indian country is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1151 and 40 C.F.R. § 171.3 as:

  1. all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through the reservation.
  2. all dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the limits of a state; and
  3. all Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through the same.

Consistent with the statutory definition of Indian country, as well as federal case law interpreting this statutory language, lands held by the federal government in trust for Indian tribes that exist outside of formal reservations are informal reservations and, thus, are Indian country.

If in immediate danger, please call 911.

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Featured

Missing or murdered individuals in Indian Country are members of our communities, of which our law enforcement officers are closely connected. The pictures of individuals are provided by family members to help the public share and submit tips and information that can help law enforcement give closure to families.

  • Isabella Newton - Located safe and she returned back to her family.

    Missing Person Update
    Isabella Newton
    Last Known Location
    Blackwell, OK
    Status
    Closed/Solved
    Agent Name
    Vincent Marcellino
    Investigating Agency
    BIA OJS Missing and Murdered Unit
  • Karri Ann Miguel - Remains were recovered, case is now closed.

    Missing Person Update
    Karri Ann Miguel
    Last Known Location
    Sacaton, AZ.
    Status
    Closed/Solved
    Agent Name
    Shawn Garnenez
    Investigating Agency
    BIA OJS Missing and Murdered Unit
  • Cameron Hill - Located safe and she returned back to her family.

    Missing Person Update
    Cases Cameron Hill
    Last Known Location
    Fort Washakie
    Status
    Closed/Solved
    Agent Name
    Garrick DeClay
    Investigating Agency
    BIA Missing and Murdered Unit

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