The tragic discovery of an Indigenous woman’s remains has brought some closure to a case that has haunted Washington state for five years. Authorities have confirmed that the remains found belong to Mary Johnson-Davis, a member of the Tulalip Tribes, through sophisticated DNA analysis.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Tulalip Police Department, revealed that Johnson-Davis disappeared on November 25, 2020. She was last observed walking east along Fire Trail Road, intending to visit a friend’s home. Her disappearance was formally reported two weeks later, a delay that has since added to the anguish surrounding her case.

Johnson-Davis’ family, who have lived in limbo for years, expressed their mixed emotions in a heartfelt statement: “We are in disbelief that we will never see Mary again. We all wanted her to come home. She is now being brought back to us, but not like we hoped. It feels like we are in a dream, wanting to wake up and see her. At the same time, our family finally has closure.”

This poignant resolution highlights the ongoing issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, a crisis that continues to affect communities across the nation. The search for answers and justice remains a priority for the family and those who have supported them over the years.

“We all wanted her to come home. She is now being brought back to us, but not like we hoped. It feels like we are in a dream, wanting to wake up and see her. At the same time, our family finally has closure.”

Tulalip Police Chief Shawn Ledford added, “With deep respect for the family and Tulalip community, the Tulalip Police Department is heartbroken to confirm that human remains have been positively identified as Mary Johnson-Davis, a member of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.”

Johnson-Davis’ disappearance prompted Washington state to change its law in 2022 and the establishment of the Missing Indigenous Person alerts, disseminated through email and social media. State officials and authorities lauded the system with being largely successful in recovering missing persons, including many juvenile runaways.

Authorities said Johnson-Davis’ disappearance and death remain under investigation. They have also yet to confirm the cause and manner of death.

The Tulalip Tribes and FBI are offering a $60,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Johnson-Davis’ disappearance.