An Arizona 14-year-old girl called Emily Pike went missing on January 27. Weeks later, her dismembered remains were found in multiple garbage bags on February 14. Following the horrifying discovery, her mother, Steff Dosela, has spoken out about her daughter's tragic death.
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Dosela talked with KPHO, saying that she was devastated after her daughter's remains were found on Valentine's Day.
"She was just an innocent ... she was a baby," Dosela said. "She was a very happy and kind person." Dosela added that Emily loved painting, art, and drawing. She was looking forward to studying art in college and was about to turn 15.
The outlet reports that Pike went missing on January 27. At the time, she was living at a group home in Mesa while her family lived at the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. The Mesa Police Department noted that she was last seen near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road. "Her case manager came a week later to tell me she was missing," Dosela said.
Gruesome Discovery
More than two weeks later, on February 14, deputies found several garbage bags near the Kacson Butte Recreation area, according to AZ Family. The Gila County Sheriff's Office addressed the finding after gruesome details were leaked online.
Deputies found a girl's head, torso, and legs, all inside separate garbage bags. While searching the area, they were unable to locate the girl's arms and hands. An autopsy was then performed on the girl, showing that she had suffered face and head trauma. Her death was ruled a homicide, but were unable to identify her.
All changed weeks later after detectives arrived a Dosela's home, asking for a DNA test. Thanks to this, they were unable to identify the victim as 14-year-old Emily Pike. Dosela, understandably, was devastated over her daughter's death and the gruesome details surrounding it.
"Why did it go that far? (It's) pain that I hope no other mother goes through," Dosela added.
A foster care advocate who knew Emily Pike, Anika Robinson, talked to AZ Family and theorized on what could have happened to her.
"I can only imagine the fact that her hands and arms haven't been found is because she was beating up and hurting her attacker," Robinson said. "I think all of us were shocked that that was her demise, I know that her staff and the girls in her home are suffering greatly because of it."
Three suspects have been identified by police, although their names have not been made public. For now, Dosela said goodbye to her 14-year-old daughter. "You'll never be forgotten. I love you," Dosela said. "Until we meet again, rest in peace."
