Human remains discovered this summer in Snohomish County have been identified as belonging to Mary Johnson-Davis, a Tulalip woman who vanished nearly five years ago.
Johnson-Davis disappeared in November 2020 after last being seen walking along Fire Trail Road on the north end of the Tulalip Reservation. She texted a friend that she was “almost to the church” and was never heard from again.
Discovery And Identification
On June 13, investigators with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office discovered human remains in a remote area of north Snohomish County. DNA testing later confirmed the remains were those of Johnson-Davis, according to the FBI’s Seattle Division.
The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office sent samples to the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center for DNA profiling, which led to the identification. Officials said the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Tulalip Police Chief Shawn Ledford said he was “heartbroken” to confirm the news.
“Mary’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the community for their assistance and compassion throughout the past five years of searching for Mary, which ultimately led to her being found,” Ledford said in a statement. “We extend our prayers, strength and healing to Mary’s family, loved ones and the entire Tulalip community during this difficult time.”
Ongoing Investigation And Community Support
The Tulalip Police Department will continue working with the FBI as the investigation moves forward. The Tulalip Tribes and the FBI are offering a $60,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible for Johnson-Davis’s disappearance.
FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington said the agency remains committed to pursuing justice for missing Indigenous people. “Every victim leaves a space in that community which cannot be filled,” Herrington said. “We recognize the process can be lengthy and frustrating, but we assure everyone the FBI and our partners are doing everything we can.”
Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson said the discovery provides an important step toward closure. “The past five years have been incredibly difficult and painful for Mary’s family and community,” she said. “We hope the recovery brings us one step closer to finding the truth about what happened to Mary.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI’s Seattle Field Office at 206-622-0460, 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), or tips.fbi.gov.
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