CASE UPDATE: Re: Ella Mae Begay's Disappearance in Arizona (2021)

On January 29, 2026, Preston Henry Tolth,  the only suspect in the June 2021 disappearance of Ella Mae Begay in Arizona, agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of robbery. In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to pursue murder charges as part of the plea agreement.

Ella Mae Begay vanished from her home in Tolikan, Arizona, on June 15, 2021. Her residence was located near a remote highway within the Navajo Nation. At approximately 2:30 a.m. that morning, her silver 2005 Ford F-150 was seen leaving the area. The truck has never been recovered.

Two days after Begay’s disappearance, Tolth was arrested on unrelated battery charges. That same day, he was questioned by investigators about Begay’s case. In April 2023, he was formally charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and carjacking in connection with her disappearance. Those charges carried potential maximum sentences of 10 and 25 years in prison.

Ella Mae’s body has never been found, though investigators believe she was the victim of a homicide. However, in 2024, a court ruled that Tolth’s Miranda rights had been violated during his interrogation while he was in custody. According to court findings, FBI agents continued questioning him after he invoked his right to remain silent and requested an attorney. Although agents eventually persuaded him to waive that right, and he made incriminating statements, the confession was later suppressed due to the rights violation. 

The court also found that agents misrepresented evidence during the interrogation. While certain interrogation tactics can be legally permissible, the violation stemmed from continuing to question him after he had invoked his rights. The government appealed the ruling, but in August 2025, a higher court upheld the decision.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Tolth will receive credit for time already served dating back to April 2023. As part of the plea, he admitted that he drove Begay’s truck away from her home and across state lines while she was in the passenger seat. He stated that he struck her multiple times and later left her on the side of a dirt road, claiming that others were present in the area, though that detail has not been confirmed by authorities. He also admitted to selling her truck for money and drugs. The vehicle has still not been located.

Tolth is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9, 2026.

Because the plea agreement includes credit for approximately 22 months already served, it is possible he may not face additional prison time beyond what he has already completed.