Reclaiming Their Stories
A first-of-its-kind database dedicated to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Transgender People in Arizona
This Arizona Luminaria investigative project aims to uncover stories and data about Indigenous people who are missing or have been murdered across the state. This reporting centers and respects families at the heart of this injustice. The project is Indigenous-led and was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Fund for Indigenous Journalists and the Data Driven Reporting Project.
Just under 100 people are reflected in the database. Here’s some of what we’ve learned so far:
- Women ages 19-32 accounted for nearly 40% of deaths and 45% of missing person cases
- Nearly half of the women killed were mothers, perpetuating cycles of intergenerational trauma
- About 45% of people killed were linked to substance abuse and/or intimate partner violence
This is not the full accounting of Indigenous people who are missing or murdered in Arizona, but rather the cases Arizona Luminaria has been able to verify so far. Please browse with care.
About the data
The data was compiled beginning in late 2023 and primarily from public records of law enforcement agencies across Arizona. It also draws information from other existing databases, including the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), as well as news reports, social media and accounts from family members.
Data related to this ongoing injustice remains limited by factors such as underreporting, poor record-keeping and racial misclassification, among others. The actual number of cases is likely far greater and the database will be updated as Arizona Luminaria receives new information.
Tips for use
- Click labels to filter map by only missing, homicides, police shootings or suspicious deaths
- Zoom in and out of the map for detailed or broad views
- Click on points to read more about a specific case
- Search keywords in the table below the map for quicker access
Contact us: Reach Chelsea Curtis at ccurtis@azluminaria.org or at 602-492-1684. Follow her on Bluesky at @chelcurtis.bsky.social or X at @curtis_chels.