‘Miles for the Missing’ Virtual Race to Support Investigation Costs for Families

Indigenous women because many cases go unreported. The National Institute for Law and Justice (NILJ), a non-profit organization with local ties, wants to help those families by providing funds to investigate the cases. To do so, volunteers are planning a virtual fundraising run/walk/bike race from May 1-31 called “Miles for the Missing.”

NILJ is an organization created in 2021 by Mark Pucci, a private detective, formerly with the New York Police Department, and author Kiersten Hathcock, who lived in Flagstaff with her family for nine years and is the chief marketing officer for Moonshot. The two met while working together to solve cold cases involving missing and murdered people.

The unexpected partnership began when Hathcock discovered her strong intuitive gifts, which led her to volunteer with investigators, including Detective Pucci. Her interest in the plight of missing people is detailed in her 2022 book, Little Voices. Pucci penned the foreword for her spiritual memoir.

“Having volunteered my time for over 12 years with parents whose children have passed on or have gone missing, I’ve seen first-hand the devastation and daily pain they endure while having few places to turn for help after a case goes cold,” she said. “I’m beyond grateful that in addition to our investigative team, leaders like Betty Lyons, the executive director of the American Indian Law Alliance and proud member of the Onondaga Nation, recognize the need for NILJ and have partnered with us to ensure we’re able to help as many families as possible.” 

The mission of NILJ is to bring together a national network of retired and active law enforcement agents, forensics specialists, search and rescue professionals, and non-traditional investigative specialists who, through the non-profit, help families find answers at no cost.

Jeneda Benally, an award-winning singer and activist from the Navajo Nation, quickly joined as a founding board member. Scott Hathcock, Kiersten’s husband and president and CEO of Moonshot, is currently volunteering as an advisory board member.

He described the financial challenges facing families whose loved ones disappear. “Potential overall costs to complete an investigation with the goal of bringing a case to arrest, prosecution and closure for the families will likely be in excess of $250,000, depending on the investigative time and professional resources needed, leaving most families unable to afford to pay for the help they so desperately need,” he said.

The next few months will be a busy time for the non-profit. “We are just now getting the word out in Arizona about NILJ,” said Hathcock. “Sadly, Kiersten and I have not met a single Indigenous person who isn’t one or two connections away from personally knowing a missing or murdered Indigenous family member or friend. The data speaks for itself, but unfortunately not enough is being done to educate and assist in bringing these cases to our public awareness.”

NILJ is planning the virtual run/walk/bike race using Charity Footprints technology platform.

“We have targeted the month of May as it is the official Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Month.” said Scott. “Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Deckers Brands have graciously come on board as early title sponsors to allow the technology behind the virtual race platform fees to be covered at no cost to NILJ. We hope that all money raised by our racers will be spent directly on reopening as many Indigenous cold cases as we can.” 

Recognizing the critical need, Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett said she hopes to elicit the support of the entire Flagstaff City Council in the endeavor. “It’s time that this issue receives more national, regional and local attention. I’d love to see our City Council, youth groups, service organizations, churches and concerned residents join in this walk and importantly, join in the effort to raise money and awareness to help bring closure to families of missing loved ones.”

NILJ Board members say they hope the fundraising race will bring more awareness to the alarming numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

For more information or to register for the virtual race in support of the National Institute for Law and Justice’s “Miles for the Missing,” go to https://www.charityfootprints.com/niljmilesforthemissing/eventdetails or make a donation to the National Institute for Law and Justice at https://nilj.org/donate. FBN

By Betsey Bruner, FBN

Photo courtesy of Scott Hathcock: Jeneda Benally, Kiersten Hathcock and Mark Pucci gathered at Bright Side Bookshop in Flagstaff for a book signing of Hathcock’s memoire, “Little Voices,” last September. The three work together at the National Institute for Law and Justice to support investigation costs for missing and murdered Indigenous women and children.