SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — February 3 marks National Missing Persons Day, an annual day aimed at bringing awareness to the dozens of people who go missing every year — and those who remain missing years later.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) issued 215 alerts for missing people in 2023.
One of the more than 100 cases of missing people listed on the agency's website is Laynee Westbrook.
It's been more than three years since she went missing and her family has no word where she could be
"It's really been devastating for our family," said Emily Pepper, Laynee's sister-in-law.
It's especially hard on milestone days. Wednesday, Jan. 31, would have been Laynee's 45th birthday.
"It's so hard because we don't know where she is. We just want to remember her and celebrate her, but 'happy birthday' doesn't feel right," Pepper said.
Laynee Westbrook went missing Sept. 10, 2020. She was living at the San Juan Motel in Anacortes. Laynee and her beloved dog name Precious left the motel with a man she knew. Shortly after that around 7:30 p.m., she was spotted on surveillance footage at the Chevron gas station next to Swinomish Casino. She's never been seen since.
"There's been absolutely no trace of her whether it's bank activity, cell phone activity, and no one has heard from her or seen her," Pepper said.
Her family said the man took her to a nearby campground where campers reportedly heard arguing and threats. In 2022, Anacortes Police told KING 5 that the man was a person of interest and issued a search warrant in connection to Laynee's case. Still no word where Laynee could be.
"There's not as much to follow up on now as there was three years ago. I think that's what's getting to be hard is wondering, will it be solved?" Pepper said.
Despite slowing tips, Pepper said the lead detective has been following new leads to this day and conducting new searches in her case.
As Pepper waits for answers, she created Families of Missing People in Skagit County group to help others searching for their loved ones. She hopes to change state laws on how missing persons cases are handled.
"Just hoping and waiting that somebody will be brave enough to come forward and say something is really all we have left to hope for," Pepper said.
KING 5 reached out to Anacortes Police Department on the case and will update this story when information is available.
Westbrook’s family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to her whereabouts. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Laynee Westbrook, you are asked to contact the Anacortes Police Department’s non-emergency line at 360-428-3211, or leave an anonymous tip by calling 360-299-1985.