Audit Finds Staffing Issues Hamper Federal Unit Investigating Missing and Murdered Native People

A federal audit released Sept. 9 has revealed that the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU), established to address the crisis of violence against Native Americans, has been plagued by persistent staffing problems since its inception. These issues have led to a backlog of cases and left families without essential victim services.

The audit, conducted by the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General, found that nearly half of the MMU's positions remained unfilled as of last year. This staffing shortage has contributed to delays in investigations and the assessment of hundreds of case referrals. For instance, the family of Peter Martin, who went missing from the Fond du Lac reservation in Minnesota two years ago, reported that the investigation stalled after the assigned agent left the role in early 2025 with no one taking their place.

Federal spending for the MMU increased from $12 million to $17 million between 2021 and 2024. However, the audit determined that 39% of these funds were diverted to other BIA law enforcement costs, such as vehicle upgrades. As of November 2024, the unit had 83 open cases and nearly 400 pending referrals, with no established timeframe for evaluating new cases.

Agents within the MMU have also faced unmanageable caseloads, with some assigned administrative duties alongside active investigations. The audit reviewed 13 cases, finding that in eight of them, the assigned agent did not contact bureau staff specializing in victim assistance. The unit reportedly had only two victim specialists nationwide, forcing some staff to refer families to outside programs.

Families of victims have expressed frustration with the slow pace and perceived inadequacy of the federal response. Grace Bulltail, aunt of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places, whose body was found in 2019 after she turned 18, stated that the BIA agent assigned to her niece's case was difficult to reach and provided few updates. Bulltail later learned the agent lacked full access to local investigators' files before being reassigned.

In response to the audit's findings, the BIA stated that it has implemented many of the recommended changes, including streamlining case referrals and enhancing staff training on victim services. However, federal auditors indicated that weaknesses in the hiring process persist. The BIA also noted that deficiencies identified in the audit primarily reflect operations under the previous administration, referencing the Trump administration's "Operation Lady Justice" task force established in 2019 to combat the crisis.

Despite these challenges, the MMU has seen some successes. In February, the unit assisted in identifying two sets of remains on the Chickasaw Nation, closing a decade-old missing persons case. Experts like Sarah Deer, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, acknowledge increased government resources and public awareness but emphasize the critical importance of effective implementation.

Tribal police departments, often the first responders to cases involving Native people, continue to face under-resourcing and limited capacity for complex investigations. Deer suggested that resources might be better utilized if directly managed by tribal entities.