The family of 16-year-old Tia Colelay marked one year Tuesday since they last spoke to the teenager before her death. Her body was discovered near Knots Landing in Whiteriver on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in November of last year. No arrests have been made in the case as the family continues to wait for answers from federal authorities. Eileen Kessay, the teen’s godmother, noted that the family last received communication from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in August. At that time, officials informed the family that the case had been transferred to authorities in Washington, D.C., and warned that updates could be years away. This communication marked a decline from earlier in the year, when updates occurred on a weekly or biweekly basis. In March, officials told the family there were three persons of interest, but no further information has been provided since. A federal audit of the Bureau’s Missing and Murdered Unit released last month highlighted significant systemic issues, including staffing shortages and unmanageable caseloads. The report found that the Bureau had only 44 staff members to fill 65 funded positions and that funds intended for the unit were diverted to other law enforcement costs. While the family expressed no specific complaint regarding the handling of Tia’s investigation, they voiced concern over these broader organizational failures. Darlene Gomez, an attorney who specializes in cases involving missing and murdered indigenous women, stated that the burden of investigation should remain with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI rather than the community. Kessay described Tia as a person who loved the outdoors, painting, and spending time with her relatives. The family plans to host a traditional memorial dinner in November to thank those who supported them during the burial process. Kessay emphasized that the event is a spiritual necessity intended to ensure the teen is not forgotten. The family continues to seek updates to confirm that the investigation remains active.