Silver Alert issued for missing Freeland woman Janet Wellman, 72

Janet Wellman, a 72-year-old Freeland resident, was last seen in Sedro-Woolley, and the most useful details for neighbors come from her earlier public search: she had no car, was likely traveling on foot or by public transportation, and was last described wearing a light blue jacket with glasses that may not have been with her. For South Whidbey and Island County residents, those details matter because a missing adult can be missed in plain sight when the description is specific and shared fast.

Washington State Patrol listed Wellman’s Silver Alert as reported April 16, 2026. The agency says Silver Alerts are used for missing people age 60 or older who are in danger because of age, physical or mental health, severe weather conditions, or an inability to return to safety without assistance. WSP also says there is no waiting period to report a missing person, and tips can be called in around the clock at 1-800-543-5678. Active alerts are also shared on Facebook and X.

Wellman has been the subject of a public search before. Archived 2019 reports described her as a 65-year-old Freeland woman last seen April 12 in Sedro-Woolley, and said she may have been confused about her location. The Island County Sheriff’s Office later said her family found her that afternoon, after a Facebook post about the search was shared by 2,566 people and reached more than 92,000.

Washington’s alert system grew out of the AMBER Alert framework, which was authorized in 2003 with Washington State Patrol as the lead agency. The advisory network includes the Washington Department of Transportation, the Washington Association of Broadcasters, the Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and the Washington Emergency Management Division, a statewide structure built to move urgent information quickly when every minute counts. Anyone with information about Wellman should contact law enforcement or the Washington State Patrol Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit.