Besse Anne Freedom Handy

Missing Since February of 2021

Featured in Episode 211

Puyallup Tribal member Besse Anne Freedom Handy was last seen in February of 2021 at the Sunshine Motel in Fife, Wash, though the exact date is unknown. She has connections around Pierce County in Spanaway, Bonney Lake, Tacoma, Sumner and the city of Puyallup. Handy has been known to go off the grid for extended periods of time, but never for this long. Her family fears that she may be unsheltered or experiencing a mental health crisis and are extremely concerned for her well-being.

Handy’s mother said in a statement: “We all love her and want her to come back. It’s OK to call for help. She’s not in trouble. We just want to hear her voice, see if she is OK and let her know her family loves and misses her.” Her loved ones are working to find her safely and their efforts have raised a $2,000 reward for the first person to provide law enforcement information leading to her whereabouts.

Besse was 35 years old when she went missing. She is 5 feet 2 inches tall and 105 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a yin and yang tattoo on her left arm, “Native” tattooed on her left shoulder, a heart tattoo on her right arm and a small heart tattoo on her wrist and it is possible her hair is now blonde and shaved or cut very short.

If you have any information, you can contact Puyallup Tribal Police at 253-680-5656 or email LEDETECTIVEDIVISION@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov and reference case No. 21-02028.