Missing Indigenous Person Alert Issued For Kirkland Woman

KIRKLAND, WA — Washington activated its new alert system for missing Indigenous people Thursday after a Kirkland woman left her home Tuesday and has not been seen since.

Washington State Patrol issued the alert shortly after 11 a.m. on behalf of the Kirkland Police Department for Taci Marson, 26, who was last seen walking away from her home on 89th Avenue Northeast around 1 p.m. Tuesday. Police said Marson has frequented Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood in the past. Investigators ask that anyone who sees her call 911.

In a news release Thursday afternoon, the Kirkland Police Department said Marson was last seen wearing a colorful scarf, black jacket and blue jeans. Police said she has a developmental delay and left her phone at home and may not be able to find her way back.

New legislation signed into law in March took effect July 1, establishing the nation's first such alert system, which functions similar to Amber alerts and was designed to improve outcomes for missing Indigenous people, including Native American women, who are disproportionally victims of violence.

Alerts are triggered under the following criteria:

• An indigenous person is missing due to unexplained, involuntary, or suspicious circumstances and/or is believed to be in danger because of age, health, adverse weather, or other circumstances and is believed to be unable to return to safety without assistance.
• There is enough descriptive information available that could reasonably assist with the safe recovery of the person such as: photos, height, weight, age, hair color, distinguishing physical characteristics, clothing, etc.
• The incident has been reported to and is being investigated by law enforcement.

The new alert system has been utilized just a handful of times, and the first was activated on July 26 in Ferndale. Police said the woman was located within 24 hours.