Yellow was Ashlynne Mike's favorite color.On Friday, her family and friends wore yellow in honor of the 11-year-old as her killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole.In August, 29-year-old Tom Begaye admitted he brutally murdered Ashlynne in May 2016. He told investigators he lured the girl and her younger brother into his van by promising to give them a ride home from their school's bus stop. Instead, he drove them to a remote area of the Navajo Nation, then raped and beat Ashlynne to death. He let the boy go.As usual, cameras were not allowed inside the federal courthouse. If they had been, viewers would've seen the pain and grief haunting Ashlynne's loved ones to this day. Family and friends sobbed openly in court as attorneys detailed how Ashlynne was killed. Ashlynne's mother cried, too, as she recounted her daughter's infectious laughter and vibrant personality. She said Ashlynne wanted to be a music teacher when she grew up."We are grateful he admitted to doing what he did, so that we can have closure in this chapter," said Ashlynne's dad, Gary Mike. His message to us: "Tell your children you love them," he said. They released yellow balloons after the sentencing amid a moment of silence.Ashlynne's tragic death sparked a push for the Navajo Nation to get its own Amber Alert system. When Ashlynne was kidnapped, tribal officials had to contact New Mexico, who did not send out an alert until the following day.The nation's president said this afternoon that software is now being purchased for a system.Related content: Artist donates painting proceeds to Ashlynne Mike's family:Thousands showed up for Ashlynne Mike's funeral:People paying their respects at Albuquerque mural:

Yellow was Ashlynne Mike's favorite color.

On Friday, her family and friends wore yellow in honor of the 11-year-old as her killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole.


In August, 29-year-old Tom Begaye admitted he brutally murdered Ashlynne in May 2016. He told investigators he lured the girl and her younger brother into his van by

promising to give them a ride home from their school's bus stop. Instead, he drove them to a remote area of the Navajo Nation, then raped and beat Ashlynne to death. He let the boy go.

As usual, cameras were not allowed inside the federal courthouse. If they had been, viewers would've seen the pain and grief haunting Ashlynne's loved ones to this day. Family and friends sobbed openly in court as attorneys detailed how Ashlynne was killed. Ashlynne's mother cried, too, as she recounted her daughter's infectious laughter and vibrant personality. She said Ashlynne wanted to be a music teacher when she grew up.

"We are grateful he admitted to doing what he did, so that we can have closure in this chapter," said Ashlynne's dad, Gary Mike.

His message to us: "Tell your children you love them," he said.

They released yellow balloons after the sentencing amid a moment of silence.

Ashlynne's tragic death sparked a push for the Navajo Nation to get its own Amber Alert system. When Ashlynne was kidnapped, tribal officials had to contact New Mexico, who did not send out an alert until the following day.

The nation's president said this afternoon that software is now being purchased for a system.

Related content:

Artist donates painting proceeds to Ashlynne Mike's family:

Thousands showed up for Ashlynne Mike's funeral:



People paying their respects at Albuquerque mural:

