Hopi police search for missing teen

Darion “Ootie” Nevayakewa

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

KYKOTSMOVI — Hopi law enforcement agencies are seeking information on a 19-year-old Tesuque Pueblo man who was reported missing June 19.

Officers Paul Sidney of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement Services and Officer Albert Goldtooth of Hopi Resource Enforcement Services met with Hopi Vice Chairman Todd Honyaoma Sr. Thursday to brief him on the status of a Darion “Ootie” Nevayakewa.

According to the vice chairman’s office, family members reported to local law enforcement agencies on June 22 that Nevayaktewa failed to return home after leaving the residence June 19.

Nevayaktewa, a member of the Tesuque Pueblo of New Mexico, was on the Hopi Reservation visiting his father, who is a member of the Hopi tribe.

Extensive search efforts have been conducted since Monday by local law enforcement agencies, family members and volunteers.

Law enforcement officers reported that all local resources have been exhausted.

Nevayaktewa is described as 6-foot-1, weighing 180 pounds, with light complexion and light mustache. He was last seen in Kykotsmovi around Pumpkin Seed Hill.

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a white T-shirt, dark blue jeans, a black baseball cap and black All-Star Converse shoes.

Emily Metz, a spokeswoman for the family, said Thursday that information is coming in, but nothing really concrete.

“There was a powwow down here in Kykotsmovi and he went down there with some of his cousins and he didn’t return home since that day, and that was Thursday,” Metz said.

“There’s not too many people he knows here. We don’t know where he would be. The cousins returned home that Friday, early in the morning. They said that he went off with a young lady, and the young lady was questioned.”

Metz said Nevayaktewa’s mother hasn’t heard from him either.

“He’s a good kid. He’s had his problems, but he has a big heart. We were hoping that if he’s hiding out in Kykotsmovi that he would see all the commotion and think, ‘Maybe somebody’s looking for me — maybe I should go home.’

“The family loves him very much. They just want him home,” she said.

Anyone having information is asked to contact Officer Loren Lomayaktewa, (928) 738-2233, or the Nevayaktewa residence, (928) 737-9141.