Account
Jun 10, 2009
Apr 25, 2023
Misty
Copsey
46
14
68 inches
120 lbs
White / Caucasian
Female
On the evening of September 17, 1992, 14-year-old Misty Copsey disappeared after attending the Puyallup Fair in Washington with a friend. After enjoying the fair, Misty found herself in a difficult situation when she missed the 8:40 p.m. bus that was supposed to take her home to nearby Spanaway. She called her mother, who was at work, to explain the predicament. Misty mentioned a possible ride from an 18-year-old friend, but her mother, not trusting the individual, instructed her to find another way home and to call back. That second call never came. A bus driver later reported speaking with a distressed-looking girl matching Misty's description around 9:20 p.m. He informed her that the last bus to Spanaway had already left but that she could take a different bus to Tacoma and transfer. Before he could offer more help, she walked away into the night. That was the last confirmed sighting of Misty Copsey. Initially, law enforcement treated Misty's case as a runaway, a decision that likely delayed a thorough investigation. It wasn't until weeks later that police began to consider the possibility of foul play. The investigation gained some traction in the months that followed. In February 1993, a significant discovery was made when some of Misty's clothing, including her jeans, underwear, and a sock, were found in a ditch near Highway 410. A couple of weeks later, her hair pick and toothbrush, items she kept in her purse, were found about half a mile away from where the clothes were located. These findings fueled suspicions of foul play, yet no further physical evidence, such as blood or DNA, was recovered from the items at the time. Over the years, the investigation has been revisited, including a reboot in 2009 which involved new polygraph tests of original persons of interest. Despite these efforts, the passage of time has presented challenges, with memories fading and statements differing from those given in 1992. The disappearance of Misty Copsey has left a lasting scar on her family and the Puyallup community, with her case remaining unsolved for over three decades. No remains have ever been found, and there have been no definitive answers as to what happened to the 14-year-old girl that September night. Misty's mother, Diana, was a relentless advocate for her daughter, searching for answers until her own passing in 2020 without ever knowing what became of Misty. The case has been the subject of podcasts and media attention, which have brought forth new tips and kept Misty's story in the public consciousness. Although officially declared dead in 2000 by the Pierce County Medical Examiner, the Puyallup Police Department continues to seek information, and her family continues to hope for closure. The case is a painful reminder of a young life cut short and the enduring mystery of her disappearance.
Sep 17, 1992
Tacoma
Washington
Pierce County
No
25786
Puyallup Police Department
Puyallup
Washington
Pierce County
98371
Jason Visnaw
Captain
311 West Pioneer Avenue, Washington
2538415415
Local
Law Enforcement
93005967
Puyallup Police Department
7777
Blond/Strawberry
Green
Green
06/24/2026
