She Took Her Dog Out For A Walk With A Male Friend Of Hers, But Then She And Her Dog Completely Disappeared
Laynee Danielle Westbrook of Anacortes, Washington, was 41-years-old when she vanished with her beloved dog.
As a teen, she graduated from Anacortes High School before attending the Euro Institute of Skin Care Esthetics School. By 2020, she was working at a nearby Safeway.
In June of that year, Laynee also began living at the San Juan Motel with her boyfriend and her dog– a rat terrier named Precious.
Even though that particular motel didn’t have the best reputation, Laynee and Precious resided in the motel due to its affordable rent.
But, on September 10, 2020, the 41-year-old and her dog never made it back to her home.
That night, Laynee and Precious left the San Juan Motel at 7:11 p.m., according to surveillance camera footage. According to her family, she went out with a male acquaintance.
Then, Laynee was seen at a Chevron gas station– located next to the Swinomish Casino– at 7:30 p.m. She was still with the same man.
After that final sighting of the 41-year-old, though, she and her dog did not make it back to their motel room, and they were never seen again.
“I absolutely believe she did not disappear on purpose. She’s not on vacation,” Laynee’s sister-in-law, Emily Pepper, told KING 5.
Facebook – pictured above is Laynee
According to the Westbrook family, the man seen with Laynee in the time before her disappearance reportedly took her and her dog, Precious, to a campground where he had been living.
The man claimed that later, during the early morning hours, he dropped Laynee off just a few blocks away from her motel.
What happened to the 41-year-old and her dog afterward has remained a puzzling mystery for over two years.
But, the Westbrook family has not stopped searching for Laynee. Immediately after her disappearance, they began coordinating search parties and following up on tips.
Laynee’s loved ones also held a monthly candle vigil during the first year of the investigation in hopes of gaining new information and keeping her case in the limelight.
“Every time we hold a vigil, something new is discovered. There’s always a new person to talk to or a new perspective on things,” Emily said.
The Anacortes police have not stopped investigating Laynee’s case, either. Their most recent effort included the excavation of an area in Skagit County last July– a major development that was only made possible by information brought forward by community members.
“There are not a lot of factors that are in our favor with this case,” explained Anacortes Police Chief Dave Floyd.
“The ones that we have could be extremely key pieces when we get to the point that those factors come into play. For now, releasing those pieces could jeopardize the case as it stands. We understand and share in the frustration regarding this case felt by Laynee’s loved ones and her community.”
In the meantime, the Westbrook family has continued spreading awareness about Laynee’s case via a Facebook page entitled “Justice for Laynee” while holding on to hope and urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We are not giving up. We are not going to stop, and she deserves it,” Emily said.
“It’s just waiting now and waiting for someone to be brave enough to say something and hoping that they do.”
The Westbrook family is now offering a $10,000 reward to anyone with information regarding Laynee’s whereabouts.
At the time of her disappearance, Laynee was between five foot eight and five foot nine and weighed between 120 and 140 pounds. She had brown hair and green eyes and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, and white sandals.
If you have any information regarding Laynee’s disappearance or whereabouts, you are urged to contact the Anacortes Police Department at (360) 428-3211 or leave an anonymous tip at (360) 299-1985.
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