Family seeks answers one year after Tia Colelay's death
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 06:08 · Archive
One year after 16-year-old Tia Colelay was last heard from, her family is still waiting for answers.
Sixteen-year-old Tia Colelay's body was found near Knots Landing in Whiteriver on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in November. One year after the family last heard from her, they are still waiting for answers.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs last contacted the family in August to say Tia's case had been transferred to authorities in Washington, D.C. Eileen Kessay, Tia's godmother, said updates became less frequent over time: 'When this all happened, it was like weekly that they would update us and then it was like every two weeks, biweekly, then it went to every month. And then it went to your case got handed over to somebody else.'
In March, the family was told there were three persons of interest in the case. As of now, no arrests or new information have been announced. Tia, who loved the outdoors, spending time with her family and painting, remains unforgotten by those who knew her.
Darlene Gomez, an attorney specialising in Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives cases, said the responsibility for investigation should rest with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI, not the community.
How it is being reported
- Family of Tia Colelay still seeking answers one year after teen’s deathOne year after 16-year-old Tia Colelay was last heard from, her family says they are still waiting for answers.Azfamily · 21 Oct, 04:33
- Family of Tia Colelay still seeking answers one year after teen’s deathOne year after 16-year-old Tia Colelay was last heard from, her family says they are still waiting for answers.KOLD · 21 Oct, 04:33
In this story: Tia Colelay · Eileen Kessay · Darlene Gomez · Bureau of Indian Affairs · FBI · Fort Apache Indian Reservation · Whiteriver
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