The person at the center of this case
Fred Joe Walking Badger (American Indian male, age 43) and Aaron Leland Rivers, Sr. (American Indian male, age 26)
Homicide · Open
32 years waiting · since 1994
FRED JOE WALKING BADGER - ARIZONA
Justice for Fred Joe Walking Badger (American Indian male, age 43) and Aaron Leland Rivers, Sr. (American Indian male, age 26) — the trail went cold in 1994, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Who was responsible for the deaths of Walking Badger and Rivers, Sr.?
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evidence
Lead #2What evidence was found in or around the burned vehicle that could identify the perpetrator?
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person
Lead #3What is the current status and whereabouts of Aaron Leland Rivers, Sr.?
On May 21, 1994, Fred Joe Walking Badger and Aaron Leland Rivers, Sr. disappeared while working on a church at the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona. Their vehicle was discovered burned in the reservation area one month later, and Walking Badger's remains were recovered from water in December 1999 and identified through dental records. The circumstances of their deaths and the whereabouts of Rivers, Sr. remain unknown, and investigators seek information about this unsolved homicide.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👁️
witness
Lead #4Were there any witnesses to the victims' activities or disappearance on May 21, 1994?
💡
clue
Lead #5What circumstances led to the vehicle being burned, and does this indicate premeditation or panic?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona May 21, 1994 On May 21, 1994, Fred Joe Walking Badger (AI/M/43) and Aaron Leland Rivers, Sr. (AI/M/26) were working on a church in the Gila River Indian Reservation (GRIR), Arizona.
This was the last known location for either victim. One month after their disappearance, the vehicle they were using was found burned in the GRIR area.
Over five years later, on December 15, 1999, the remains of Walking Badger were located in water and identified through dental records. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking any information regarding the homicide of Walking Badger and missing person Rivers, Sr.
Timeline of Events
👤
1994-05-21
Walking Badger and Rivers, Sr. disappear
Fred Joe Walking Badger and Aaron Leland Rivers, Sr. last seen working on a church at Gila River Indian Reservation
📋
1994-06-21
Vehicle discovered burned
The vehicle used by the victims was found burned in the Gila River Indian Reservation area approximately one month after disappearance
🔍
1999-12-15
Walking Badger remains recovered
Remains of Fred Joe Walking Badger located in water and identified through dental records, over five years after disappearance
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 21, 1994
Last Updated:September 11, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:May 21, 1994
Last Updated:September 11, 2026