Murdered and Missing Cherokee People: The Story of Erik Lane

When Cherokee citizen Erik Lane went missing in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in July 2025, his family was left searching for answers. A devoted father, brother, and grandfather, Erik was known for protecting the vulnerable. But when he disappeared, jurisdictional gaps, silence from Cherokee Nation leadership, and unanswered calls for help left his loved ones without support.

Weeks later, Erik was found dead near the Cherokee Nation Hastings Clinic. His family and community continue to ask: Why was there no coordinated search? Why were their pleas for help ignored? Why do so many Cherokee families face the same painful silence when their loved ones go missing?

This first episode of MMCP – Murdered and Missing Cherokee People examines Erik’s story, the failures of justice in the Cherokee Nation capital, and the broader crisis impacting Native families. Across Indian Country, missing and murdered Indigenous people remain one of the most urgent but unsolved human rights issues.

Cherokee 411 with Cara is committed to bringing these stories forward, honoring families, and demanding accountability. Erik’s story is not just about one man—it is about a system that too often leaves Native families without answers.

🔗 Watch the latest news update here: MMCP Conversation: Honoring Erik Lane & the Fight for Justice📌 If you have information about this case, please contact the Tahlequah Police Department.📌 If you are a Cherokee family with a missing or murdered loved one, contact us. Together, let’s bring our family home: http://bit.ly/4n3tJWA