A tribute honoring Emily Pike, a young Arizona teen tragically killed, has been removed in Mesa, but supporters are now advocating for a lasting memorial in her memory.

ABC 15 Arizona reported that this memorial had stood for several months at the corner of Mesa Drive and McKellips Road, marking the spot where 14-year-old Emily’s remains were discovered back in February.

The circumstances surrounding the removal of the memorial were initially shrouded in mystery, with the city of Mesa claiming no involvement in its removal.

According to FOX 10 Mesa, the property’s owner, who declined an on-camera interview, admitted to taking down the memorial. He explained that it was removed because prior permission to erect it had not been sought. The owner stated he placed the items in a bin, uncertain of whom to contact for their return.

Those advocating for Emily continue to seek justice and believe the memorial serves both as a reminder of the ongoing case and as a tribute to her memory.

Some supporters returned to the scene January 2 and added balloons, teddy bears, and garlands.

“They took all her things out of the trash, and they put them back up,” advocate Celeste Bonito-Nash told FOX 10. “This memorial keeps Emily Pike’s name in their mouth. This keeps her alive.”

As CrimeOnline previously reported, police found some of Emily’s dismembered remains on Valentine’s Day, stuffed in trash bags and left along U.S. 60, northeast of Globe. Some of her remains have never been found.

Emily was last seen alive January 27 near Mesa Drive and McKellips Road, after fleeing a group home.

For her safety, social workers removed Emily from her mother’s custody after a family member is said to have sexually assaulted her.

Court documents obtained by FOX 10 indicated that Emily ran away three times in 2023. She told police about her dissatisfaction with life at the group home and pleaded to not return. She reportedly tried to take her own life while at the group home, by tying a shoelace to a doorknob and cutting her wrists.

Following her death, the FBI announced a reward for information leading to any culpable parties.

“The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $75,000 for any person providing independently verifiable information identifying the individual(s) responsible for her disappearance and murder,” FBI spokesperson Kevin Smith said in an email to AZ Central.

The FBI’s announcement on May 7 followed a meeting between FBI Director Kash Patel and Emily’s family, where Patel committed to raising awareness and pursuing answers in her case.

Governor Katie Hobbs announced an additional $25,000 reward in April, during a ceremonial bill signing for Emily’s Law, which will create a “turquoise alert” system for missing Indigenous people.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe is also offering a $75,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

A task force was formed shortly after the tribe offered the reward.

To assist in the investigation, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office and the San Carlos Apache Police Department have set up an online tip portal where anonymous tips can be submitted through tips411.

Information can also be reported to the Sheriff’s Office at 928-425-4449, option 1, or the San Carlos Apache Police Department at 928-475-1700.

Meanwhile, as Emily’s family hopes the city will consider a permanent memorial, advocate Jared Marquez reminded the public of how authorities found her remains.

“Think about this case specifically and how she was left in trash bags and all that,” Jared Marquez said.

“It’s one thing to clean up and remove the whole thing. But you left it in a trash can, so her picture can be seen, so her stuff can be seen, to let the community know that her memorial is not wanted.”

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Emily Pike/Handout]