Wilhelmina Whitewater Missing Person Case

Dec 12, 2018

Jul 26, 2019

Wilhelmina

Whitewater

53

45

64 inches

140 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Female

On a summer day in 2018, 45-year-old Wilhelmina "Mina" Denise Whitewater, a member of the Navajo/Dine tribe, left her home in Tsaile, Arizona, with the intention of returning. That day, July 31st, would be the last time her family and friends would see or hear from her. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black and white jacket, and blue/purple running shoes, along with two rings. Authorities have described her as a Native American female, standing 5'4" tall and weighing 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The days turned into weeks, and with no contact from Wilhelmina, concern within her community grew. Her departure seemed to be with the expectation of a swift return, not a long absence. The Navajo Police Department was contacted, and an investigation into her disappearance began. Despite their efforts, very few details surrounding the circumstances of her disappearance have been made public. It is known that she has connections to the Navajo Nation, and her case is a somber reminder of the many Indigenous women who have gone missing with little media attention. Years have passed since Wilhelmina Whitewater was last seen, and her case remains unresolved, with few leads to follow. The Navajo Police Department has continued to ask for the public's assistance in locating her, periodically re-issuing calls for any information regarding her whereabouts or well-being. They have noted that she has struggled with addiction and substance abuse. The lack of information has been a source of ongoing pain for her family, who believe that someone must have knowledge of what happened to her. The case is a stark illustration of the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, where cases often receive minimal public attention and resources, leaving families with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Navajo Police Department Chinle District.

Jul 31, 2018

Tsaile

Arizona

Apache County

86556

Yes

43287

Navajo Nation Police Department - Chinle District

Chinle

Arizona

Apache County

86503

PO Box 940, Arizona

9286742000

Tribal

Law Enforcement

05-18-031158

2018-12-12

Navajo Nation Police Department - Chinle District

9920

Black

Brown

Brown

07/30/2026