The remains of Mary Johnson, an Indigenous woman missing since 2020, have been identified through DNA analysis in Washington state, bringing a tragic end to a case that fueled national awareness of the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis. Authorities announced the confirmation on Friday, highlighting the ongoing investigation into her disappearance and death.
Human remains discovered on June 13, 2025, in a remote area of Snohomish County, Washington, were confirmed to be those of Mary Johnson, a 39-year-old enrolled citizen of the Tulalip Tribes. The FBI and Tulalip Police Department used forensic DNA analysis to make the identification, which was publicly disclosed in a joint statement. Johnson was last seen on November 25, 2020, walking on Fire Trail Road on the Tulalip Reservation, and was reported missing on December 9, 2020, after she failed to arrive at a friend’s house. The location where her remains were found is within the same county as the reservation, but specific details about the site have not been released.
Johnson’s disappearance had remained a mystery for nearly five years, prompting extensive searches and community efforts. The cause and manner of her death are still undetermined, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the investigation is active. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are offering a reward of up to $60,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible. Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson expressed hope that the recovery brings the community closer to uncovering the truth about what happened.
The news has deeply affected Johnson’s family, who had held out hope for her safe return. Her sisters, Nona Blouin and Gerry Davis, released a statement expressing heartbreak and disbelief, noting that while they never expected this outcome, it provides a measure of closure after years of uncertainty. They described the pain of imagining scenarios where she might have been trafficked or harmed, and emphasized that her loss leaves an irreplaceable void in their lives and the Tulalip community.
Johnson’s case became a catalyst for activism around the missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) movement, drawing attention to the high rates of violence faced by Native American communities. Her disappearance inspired a documentary, ‘Missing from Fire Trail Road,’ released last year, which amplified calls for justice and systemic change. Advocates argued that such cases are often overlooked, leading to increased federal and state efforts to address the crisis.
In response to advocacy fueled by cases like Johnson’s, Washington state passed legislation in 2022 creating a Missing Indigenous Person alert system. Sponsored by Representative Debra Lekanoff, the law enables rapid dissemination of information through email and social media, and has been credited with helping recover missing individuals, including juveniles. This legislative change reflects broader national initiatives, with the federal government under both the Biden and Trump administrations dedicating more resources to investigate violent crimes in Indian Country.
Despite these efforts, the MMIW crisis persists, with Native American women facing disproportionately high risks of assault, abduction, and murder. The FBI has surged resources to address unresolved cases, and the Department of Justice has prioritized prosecutions, but communities continue to push for greater accountability and prevention. Johnson’s story underscores the urgent need for sustained attention and action to protect Indigenous people.
As the investigation into Mary Johnson’s death continues, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that the $60,000 reward remains in place. For the Tulalip Tribes and Indigenous communities nationwide, this case serves as a somber reminder of the work still needed to ensure safety and justice, with hopes that future tragedies can be prevented through continued advocacy and enforcement.