(NewsNation) — The remains of an Indigenous woman who’s been missing for five years have been discovered by authorities in Washington state, according to multiple reports.
Mary Johnson-Davis, a member of the Tulalip Tribes, was identified through DNA analysis.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and Tulalip Police Department said Johnson-Davis was last seen walking east on Fire Trail Road on Nov. 25, 2020 en route to a friend’s home. She was reported missing two weeks later.
“We are in disbelief that we will never see Mary again,” Johnson-Davis’ sisters said in a joint statement.
“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.