KENT, Wash. — The last reported sighting of Karen Leming's son was on December 8, 2021, she said.
At the time, 36-year-old Austin Leming had a construction business and a landscape business.
"He had a 9-year-old son who was everything to him, and in fact he had Christmas presents. He was so excited to spend Christmas with him.” Karen said.
A missing persons report was filed with a police department in Pierce County.
“If they would’ve pinged Austin's phone right then and there, they would have found that he wasn't where we thought he was. He was in another city,” said Karen.
Investigators learned Austin Leming was last seen at an apartment complex in downtown Kent. Kent police opened an investigation, and CrimeStoppers of Puget Sound circulated flyers that said foul play was suspected.
"There is a $10,000 reward, you know, for the recovery of Austin. It is not for an arrest and a conviction. It is so we can find Austin,” said Karen.
Several years later, Karen remains committed to finding answers about what happened to her son.
"I gave birth to him, I raised him, I love him. I am not giving up. That's my son,” she said. "Austin is more than a number. We miss him. We love him. We want nothing more than to bring him home."
Inside Karen’s home, she has lots of photos of Austin. In her front yard, the family planted what they call a Remember Me Tree.
"Austin was a tree guy so it kind of made sense to plant a tree for him,” she said.
"You have so much grief to you have to find a way to get through it, and Austin would want me to get through it,” Karen said.
One place she has turned for help is Victim Support Services, a nonprofit organization that has been serving victims of crime and their loved ones for nearly 50 years.
Karen Leming said she didn’t have power of attorney for her son, so it created challenges after his disappearance. She also immediately saw a need for more resources to be available for families with missing persons cases.
“It is a parent’s worst nightmare,” said Karen, who is sharing her story to help solve her son’s case.
“I just hope that it encourages somebody to come forward to understand that there is real people behind this missing persons,” said Karen.