On 1-year anniversary of Lummi Nation elder’s disappearance, FBI announces reward

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a new missing person poster Thursday and announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information as part of a multi-agency investigation into the disappearance of Lummi Nation elder Besalynn Mary James, who was last seen Jan. 20, 2025 at her home on the Lummi Nation Indian Reservation in Whatcom County.

The FBI said the reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) involved.

Lummi Nation held a vigil Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of James’ disappearance.

The FBI Seattle Field Office, Lummi Nation Police Department, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Bellingham Police Department are among the agencies investigating the case.

“FBI Seattle’s missing persons cases are a high priority as we and our partners seek to uncover the answers that led to these painful disappearances,” said Jerald Burkin, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, said in a news release issued Wednesday. “In Ms. James’s case, over the past year, law enforcement has conducted multiple investigative actions across several states to try to discover what happened and her whereabouts. We will continue to diligently investigate this case, no matter how long it takes. We encourage anyone with information relating to Ms. James’s disappearance to contact law enforcement immediately.”

According to the FBI, James has ties to Boise and Nampa, Idaho; Nyssa, Oregon; and Sacramento, California. She is believed to have been wearing a black jacket at the time of her disappearance. The rest of her belongings were left behind when she went missing, and she also did not drive. James was never known to go anywhere without her dogs, and they were left behind as well.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the FBI’s Seattle Field Office at (206) 622-0460.

People may also contact a local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 10:31 AM with the headline "On 1-year anniversary of Lummi Nation elder’s disappearance, FBI announces reward."