Box in the Basement

The Vanishing of Misty Copsey: A 14-Year-Old's Disappearance That Still Haunts Washington

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In 1992, 14-year-old Misty Copsey disappeared after attending the Puyallup Fair in Washington. Misty was a bright, independent teenager who spent the evening at the fair with a friend. Misty attempted to walk home when she missed her bus but never made it. Her mother, Diana Smith, immediately reported her missing, but law enforcement initially dismissed her concerns, treating Misty as a runaway.  Her parents, friends, and community launched a frantic search, but Misty was never found, and her disappearance remains unsolved to this day.

Over the years, the case has been marred by missed opportunities and false leads. Items believed to belong to Misty were discovered near a local trail, fueling speculation about foul play. Despite extensive searches and media attention, no arrests were ever made. Investigators have revisited the case multiple times, focusing on potential suspects and advances in DNA technology, but no breakthroughs have emerged.

Join Arlene and Leah as they share Misty's story, the evidence, the timeline, and theories to answer the question:  What happened to Misty Copsey on that fateful night?

November is Native American Heritage Month. Learn more about Missing and Indigenous Women: National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC)

Show Notes:
DNA Could Solve Misty Copsey’s 1992 Disappearance and Death

The Disappearance of Misty Copsey: A Special Report

Timeline of Misty Copsey’s Last Known Movements

Investigation into Misty Copsey’s Vanishing

Vanished: 27 Years Since Misty Copsey Was Last Seen in Puyallup

True Crime Tuesday: What Happened to Misty Copsey?

32 Years Later: Disappearance of Misty Copsey Remains a Mystery

Misty Copsey’s Disappearance: An Unsolved Mystery Decades Later

Washington’s Missing and Murdered Women: Have Recent Efforts Made Headway?

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