Name: Katya Marie Lyne
Age: 15 years old
Last Seen: March 21, 1997
Location: Federal Way, Washington
Status: Still missing
Case Information
15 year old Katya Marie Lyne was last seen in Federal Way, Washington on March 21, 1997. She disappeared following an argument with her father.
Background
Katya Lyne was born in El Salvador on November 28, 1981 and was adopted by American parents as an infant. She has an older sister who was in college at the time of her disappearance.
She worked as a professional model, changed schools often, and had many problems/arguments with her parents. Despite their issues, she was very close with her father, and there is no evidence that she was ever abused by her parents.
At the time of her disappearance, she was living in an apartment with her father, James Patrick Lyne, in Federal Way, Washington. Her mother, who was suffering from breast cancer, lived nearby.
Disappearance
Katya Marie Lyne was last seen at her home in Federal Way, Washington on March 21, 1997. She disappeared following an argument with her father regarding school.
She was a student at Auburn High School, but had poor grades and hadn’t been attending class. Her father wanted to transfer her back to Federal Way High School, but she opposed the idea. Around 9:00 pm she left home and never returned.
Katya’s sister, who was a student at Seattle Pacific University, stopped by the following morning and found her missing.
She was reported missing to the Federal Way Police Department by her father on March 23, 1997.
Investigation
Katya left her social security card, dental retainer, shoe lifts, and other personal belongings behind at home.
On March 25, 1997, four days after Katya’s disappearance, her father took his own life following a bout of depression over unemployment and recent divorce. He had tried to take his own life in a vehicle accident via a head on collision with a semi truck on Highway 18 three weeks prior, but was not severely injured.
Authorities speculate that Katya may have returned home following her father’s suicide, and fled the scene upon finding his body.
Police found no evidence linking Katya’s disappearance to her father’s suicide, nor did they find any evidence of abuse or gang activity.
There have been possible sightings of Katya in the Seattle, Midway, and Puyallup areas of Washington, but they have not been confirmed. She is familiar with the Seattle area, as she had attended modeling school there.
Whereabouts
The location of Katya Lyne, as well as the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, remains unknown. Her case is classified as endangered missing and remains unsolved.
Appearance
White/Hispanic female of Salvadoran descent born on November 28, 1981. Katya has brown hair and brown eyes. She stood 5’3 and weighed 125 pounds at the time of her disappearance.
She has a mole above the right corner of her mouth. Her left nostril is pierced, has a “K” tattoo on her right ankle, and a tattoo of 3 dots on her left hand.
Clothing & Accessories:
Katya was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black & white pullover flannel, blue jeans, and black boots.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Katie Marie Lyne please contact the Federal Way Police Department at (253) 661-4600, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678.
Resources & Further Information
Katya Marie Lyne – NamUs
Katya Marie Lyne – The Charley Project
Katya Marie Lyne – Doe Network
Media Links
‘You Don’t Know How to Grieve:’ Loved Ones of Missing Federal Way Teen Gather 24 Years Later – The Seattle Times
Videos & Flyers
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