Account
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
Besse
Anne Freedom Handy
34
34
5'2 inches
105 lbs
Native American
Female
In the winter of February 2021, a 34-year-old Native American woman named Besse Anne Freedom Handy was last seen at the Sunshine Motel in Fife, Washington. A member of the Puyallup Tribe, Besse had strong connections to various communities throughout Pierce County, including Spanaway, Bonney Lake, Tacoma, Sumner, and the city of Puyallup. She was a petite woman, standing at 5 feet 2 inches with brown hair and brown eyes. Her appearance was distinguished by several tattoos: a yin and yang symbol on her left arm, the word "Native" on her left shoulder, a heart on her right arm, and another small heart on her wrist. While her family knew she sometimes went off-grid for periods, the length of her absence following her last sighting grew into a silence that was deeply concerning. As weeks turned into months, Besse's family grew increasingly worried. They feared she might be without shelter or experiencing a mental health crisis and were desperate for any news of her well-being. Her mother, who believed Besse was receiving treatment at a drug rehabilitation center, began a frantic search when too much time passed without any contact. The family worked tirelessly to bring awareness to her case, collaborating with the Puyallup Tribal Police and the Washington State Attorney General's office to circulate flyers. They reached out to the public for help, asking people to post information on social media and in places like motels, gas stations, and transit centers. In a heartfelt plea, her mother stated, "We all love her and want her to come back. It's OK to call for help." A $2,000 reward was offered for information that would lead to finding her. Tragically, the search for Besse Anne Freedom Handy came to a devastating end. In January 2023, her remains were formally identified. It was discovered that she had perished in a fire at a homeless encampment in Seattle. Her remains had been found months earlier, but it was not until officials located and analyzed her dental records that a match was confirmed, bringing a close to the long period of uncertainty for her loved ones. The case, which began with the quiet disappearance of a woman from a motel, concluded with the heartbreaking confirmation of her death, highlighting a tragic end to a desperate search.
Feb 01, 2021
Fife
Washington
Fife
Puyallup Tribal Police Departmen
253-680-5656
06/25/2026
