Executive Summary
- Body of 8-year-old Maleeka Boone found in Coalmine Canyon, Arizona.
- FBI and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation are leading the inquiry.
- Coalmine area placed on lockdown; residents urged to stay indoors.
- Multi-agency search involved U.S. Marshals and Arizona DPS.
The search for 8-year-old Maleeka “Mollie” Boone came to a tragic conclusion on Friday when authorities discovered her body in the Coalmine Canyon area of the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona. According to the Navajo Police Department, the discovery was made less than 24 hours after the child was reported missing.
Boone was last seen playing near Cedar Loop in the Coalmine housing area, located approximately 17 miles southeast of Tuba City, around 6 p.m. on Thursday. Family members reported that it was highly uncharacteristic for the child to wander off for extended periods. Following her disappearance, authorities issued a Turquoise Alert early Friday morning to mobilize public assistance.
According to law enforcement officials, the search operation involved a coordinated effort between tribal law enforcement, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The FBI and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation are now leading the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Boone’s death. Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding the cause of death.
In response to the investigation, Navajo police placed the Coalmine area on lockdown until further notice. Residents have been instructed to remain in their homes while the FBI operates a command station at the scene to process evidence and interview potential witnesses.
Investigative Outlook
The rapid escalation involving federal agents alongside tribal and state law enforcement suggests a high-priority investigation is underway to determine the cause and manner of death. The implementation of a strict lockdown in the Coalmine area indicates that authorities are prioritizing the preservation of a potentially complex crime scene or conducting an active containment operation. As the FBI establishes its command post, the immediate focus will likely center on forensic analysis and timeline reconstruction to identify any potential criminal elements involved in this incident.
