The BMX racing community in Las Vegas, along with the Navajo people are grieving the loss of a young BMX racer, Memphis Benally, who passed away on January 4, 2025, at the age of 17.
Affectionately known as “Lil Monster” by her loved ones, Memphis’s reason behind her demise remains unknown.
Memphis Benally was born on July 28, 2009, to Kalce and Lanetta. According to reports, her parents relocated from the Tuba City area on the Navajo Nation to Las Vegas.
She started riding when she was only 8 after a friend asked her to give it a try, and she got completely hooked right away from that first practice session. She would stay out there for hours, soaking up everything she could learn.
Then, since Memphis turned 13 years old, she trained hard with her father, who used to play basketball back in Tuba City.
Her parents supported, showing up for every single race and practice without fail.
Memphis competed in the expert girls division, earned strong rankings across Nevada, and qualified for major competitions, including the BMX World Championships.
She even got to work with top names in the sport, like Connor Fields and the Olympic BMX rider.
She wanted to inspire young Navajo girls, especially, and wore a Navajo Nation sticker on her helmet because she knew she was out there representing her people.
Memphis volunteered at local clinics to mentor the little ones, telling them straight up that if she could do it, they could too, and that nobody should ever say their dreams are too far away.
Back in April 2025, when she was just 15 years old and a sophomore at Northwest Career and Technical Academy, Memphis was already standing out as one of the few Navajo athletes doing big things in BMX racing.
Similarly, school was just as important to her; Memphis kept straight A’s while studying veterinary science at NWCTA, and she was already taking college classes through the University of Nevada, Reno.
Her big goal was to win the Chief Manuelito Scholarship so she could mix her love for animals with helping her community back home.
There were tough moments along the way, too. Just a year ago, she qualified for Worlds but had to miss it because her grandmother passed away after fighting cancer.
Memphis said she raced in her honor anyway, wanting to make her proud.
Now that she has taken her last breath, several loved ones have come forward to express their grief.
Nakaii Diné Tachiini expressed her grief:
I still cannot believe you took your journey. You look so much like your mama..she was so proud of you. Prayers and hugs netta and family ❤️
Nakaii Diné Tachiini
Likewise, Whitney MESA BMX addressed as a beautiful soul, writing:
With heavy hearts, we honor Memphis Benally 💛
Whitney MESA BMX
A beautiful soul, a strong rider, and a forever part of the Whitney Mesa BMX family.
Young, strong, resilient, funny, and a shining light in every room she walked into! Memphis was almost always the last person on the hill trying to beat her time and get a faster lap, her heart was so strong and pure and we will forever remember that.
So far, details surrounding her funeral and memorial service haven’t been published by her family.
During this ordeal, we pray for Memphis’s extended family and friends.
Rest Easy, Memphis “Lil Monster” Benally!
