Katya Marie Lyne was a teenager who vanished in 1997.
Background[]
Katya was born in El Salvador on November 28, 1981 and was adopted by American parents while she was still a baby. She had issues with her parents and would frequently move schools. She had done work as a professional model before 1997.
At the time of her disappearance, Katya was living with her father, Pat Lyne, who she was very close to, in Federal Way, Washington. Her mother, who was suffering from breast cancer, lived nearby. She also had an older sister.
Case[]
Katya vanished from Federal Way, Washington, on March 21, 1997. She left her home, where she lived with her father, Pat, the previous night at around 9 PM after the two had argued over her grades. Katya attended Auburn High School, but Pat believed that having her transfer to another school could improve her academic performance. When her sister, who was a student at South Pacific University, showed up to say hello the next morning, it became apparent that Katya was missing. Pat then reported her as a runaway.
After she vanished, Katya's friends and family printed thousands of flyers and went knocking door to door. However, this failed to find her.
On March 25, 1997, Pat died by suicide. Authorities investigated the possibility that this may have been linked to Katya's disappearance, but found nothing to indicate that this was the case. He had been struggling with depression due to unemployment and his divorce. Police theorized that Katya may have returned home sometime after her father's death and fled upon finding his remains.
No evidence was found that suggested either of her parents had abused her or that she was involved in gangs. There have been possible sightings of Katya in Puyallup, Seattle, and Midway; however, these sightings are all unconfirmed. It is worth noting that she was familiar with the downtown Seattle area, as she had attended modelling school there.
Characteristics[]
- Brown hair, which may be dyed another colour.
- Brown eyes.
- Mole above the right side of upper lip.
- Pierced right nostril.
- Tattoos:
- Three dots on left hand.
- "K" on right ankle.
- May appear older than actual age.
- May be mistakenly believed to be of Asian descent.
Clothing and accessories[]
- Black and white flannel pullover shirt.
- White T-shirt.
- Blue jeans.
- Black boots.
Sources[]
- Katya Lyne at the Charley Project
- Katya Lyne at NamUs
- Katya Lyne at NCMEC
- Katya Lyne at the Doe Network