Name: Rita Janelle Papakee
Age: 41 years old
Last Seen: January 16, 2015
Location: Tama, Iowa
Status: Still missing
Case Information
41 year old Rita Papakee was last seen in Tama, Iowa on January 16, 2015. She disappeared after leaving the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel around 1:00 pm.
Background
Rita Papakee was born on June 1, 1973. She has four children, and has struggled with substance abuse issues.
Although she had left for a few months at a time in the past, her loved ones say it’s uncharacteristic to be out of contact with her children for this long.
For the past decade Rita’s mother, Iris Roberts, has raised Rita’s children. “I just want closure,” Roberts said. “Whoever or whatever they did, I wish they would step up and say, this is what happened.”
Disappearance
Around 1:00 pm on January 16, 2015, Rita Papakee was last seen leaving the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa. She hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
She was reported missing on February 18, after she failed to pick up her paycheck. According to NamUs, she may be in the Des Moines or Cedar Rapids area.
Investigation
In 2025, police revealed some new information regarding Rita’s last known whereabouts on the day of her disappearance.
Rita was seen with her half sister at the casino on January 16, and neighbors claim to have seen her walking away from someone’s residence later that evening.
It was cold and snowing that night, and the neighbors say Rita appeared angry. A witness says someone in a dark pickup truck approached her and that the next day she was seen at his house.
The unidentified man is the prime suspect in Rita’s case. Police believe he, along with two other men, were seen hiding evidence, including Rita’s body.
Several searches were done in the area, but her body has not been found.
Polygraph results from the men were determined to be inconclusive. One of them has since stopped cooperating with investigators.
Appearance
Native American female born on June 1, 1973. Rita has brown hair, brown eyes, stands 5’4 tall, and weighs 200 pounds. She is a registered member of the Meskwaki Indian Nation.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Rita Papakee please contact the Meskwaki Tribal Police at (641) 484-4844.
Agency case number 15-001969.
There is a $100,000 reward for anyone who can give authorities information leading to Rita’s location.
Resources & Further Information
Rita Janelle Papakee – NamUs
Rita Janelle Papakee – The Charley Project
Media Links
Papakee’s Case Still Unsolved As Meskwaki Police Share New Investigation Details – CBS 2 Iowa
10 Years Later: A Missing Meskwaki Woman’s Family Says They’re Hopeful Despite A Decade Without Answers – KCCI
Family Of Rita Papakee Continues To Seek Answers – Sun Courier
Videos & Flyers
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