Indigenous Missing-Person Cases Stalled by Federal Staffing Gaps

A federal audit found that the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit is struggling with severe staffing shortages, case backlogs and inadequate support for families of missing and killed Indigenous people. The unit had 83 open cases and nearly 400 pending referrals as of November 2024, with no firm deadline for reviewing incoming cases. Although funding rose from $12 million to $17 million between 2021 and 2024, auditors found that 39% was redirected to other BIA law-enforcement expenses, including vehicle upgrades, while nearly half of the unit’s positions remained vacant. The problems have affected families such as that of Peter Martin, whose investigation stalled after the assigned agent left in early 2025 without a replacement taking over. The BIA says it is implementing audit recommendations, but the watchdog said hiring weaknesses and failures to provide required victim services continue to leave families without answers.