Unsolved Strange Disappearance of Mikelle Biggs

 It has now been a quarter of a century since the disappearance of 11-year-old Mikelle Biggs outside her Mesa residence, marking one of the most significant unresolved cases in the Valley's history. Despite the passage of time, her family clings tenaciously to the hope of uncovering answers. Presently, after all these years, there seems to be a potential development in this enduring mystery.

Kimber Biggs retains a vivid recollection of January 2, 1999, and the subsequent days. A mere nine years old at the time, she was the last person to lay eyes on her 11-year-old sister, Mikelle, before her inexplicable vanishing. Mikelle was last spotted on her bicycle around 4:00 p.m. on January 2, 1999. Although her bicycle was discovered, she remains elusive. Clad in a red shirt with a white stripe across the chest and blue jeans adorned with designs on the sides, Mikelle, with her golden hair glistening in the sun, exuded joy, creating a lasting image in Kimber Biggs' memory.

At the age of 34, Kimber recounts to ABC15 the events of that fateful day. She disclosed that Mikelle, along with other neighborhood children, was in front of their Mesa residence, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the ice cream truck. As the sun dipped below the horizon, everyone started heading indoors. Kimber urged Mikelle to do the same, but when she declined, Kimber proceeded alone, their home just a few strides away.

Entering through the back door, Kimber was instructed by her mother to inform Mikelle to come inside. She retraced her steps through the garage and down the driveway, calling out to Mikelle without receiving any response.

"That's when I turned, and I saw something in the road. I didn't know what it was, and I started to walk toward it and realized it was my bike," recounted Kimber. Mikelle was last seen around 6 p.m. near the intersection of Toltec and El Moro in Mesa. Investigators speculate that it took a mere 90 seconds for someone to seize her and place her in a car, never to be seen again.

"The tire was still spinning on the bike, and at that point, I knew something was off," remarked Kimber.

The only findings at the scene were two quarters and the bicycle Mikelle had been riding. As law enforcement initiated their investigation, the community launched their own efforts. Flyers were distributed, and searches were conducted, all in support of a family grappling with disbelief.

"It just accelerated the size of the case and the attention of it," reflected Kimber. The Mesa Police Department has received numerous tips over the years, many turning out to be false. In a conversation with the new detective on the case, it was revealed that the focus is on specific information linking back to a convicted sexual predator who has been on their radar since the beginning.

"Is that person still a person of interest?" queried ABC15 reporter Ashley Paredez.

"I would say he is the person of interest," affirmed Detective Paul Sipe of Mesa PD. Detective Sipe identified Dee Blalock as that person, although he has never been charged in connection to the Mikelle case, he resided in her neighborhood at the time.

ABC15 uncovered a video of Blalock at a 'block watch' event for Mikelle, just 10 days after her disappearance.

"If you're my neighbor and I see that you're living next to me, and I see something suspicious going on... I guarantee you I'd be calling 911," asserted Dee Blalock in the 1999 footage.

Detective Sipe has requested a copy of that footage, expressing his intention to speak with Blalock, who was taken into custody for unrelated violent crimes shortly after the event. Blalock remains incarcerated.

"What I'd like to say to the investigative lead that we have is... that he has children of his own and knowing that and imagining what he would feel like if his children were missing for 25 years," articulated Detective Sipe.

Kimber expresses gratitude that Mesa PD has persevered in their pursuit. For her, becoming a mother compelled her to persist in the fight.

"Yes, this is what I'm supposed to do," declared Kimber.

Recently employed by the National Crime Justice Training Center, Kimber aims to provide a family's perspective to law enforcement. She aspires to learn from them as they learn from her, emphasizing the importance of knowing how to communicate with a child in a traumatic situation.

"Just really knowing how to speak to a child in a traumatic situation and doing what's best for them," stated Kimber.

Having presented twice, she encourages officers to remain open-minded about potential suspects.

"I'm doing this... simply because I love her," affirmed Kimber.

A love so profound, it transforms pain into power.

"She's my big sister, and she deserves to, you know, have that peace," expressed Kimber.