Executive Summary
- Washington State Patrol issued an AMBER Alert and Missing Indigenous Person Alert for 14-year-old Cheyanna Howell.
- Police are searching for a white 2003 Lexus LS430 with Washington license plate CLX6617.
- Howell was last seen in Bellingham at 2 a.m. on December 27, 2025, leaving with an unidentified individual.
- The investigation is being handled by the Lummi Nation Police Department.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has activated both an AMBER Alert and a Missing Indigenous Person Alert for 14-year-old Cheyanna Howell following her disappearance early Friday morning. According to law enforcement officials, the teenager was last seen leaving Bellingham, Washington, around 2 a.m. on December 27, 2025, accompanied by an unidentified individual.
Authorities have identified a specific vehicle associated with the case. Police are actively searching for a white 2003 Lexus LS430 bearing Washington license plate number CLX6617. The investigation is being led by the Lummi Nation Police Department with assistance from state agencies. Officials urge anyone who spots the vehicle or the missing teenager to contact 911 immediately.
Investigators described Howell, who also goes by Cheyanna Nadian-Howell, as standing approximately 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds. She has brown or dark brown hair, brown eyes, and wears glasses. At the time of her disappearance, she was reportedly wearing a pink camouflage zip-up sweatshirt, possibly red pants, and was carrying a gray backpack.
Investigative Urgency and Protocols
The simultaneous issuance of an AMBER Alert and a Missing Indigenous Person Alert signifies a critical level of urgency regarding Howell’s safety. The AMBER Alert system is federally reserved for cases where law enforcement believes a child has been abducted and is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Missing Indigenous Person Alert reflects Washington state’s specific legislative framework designed to address disparities in cases involving missing Indigenous people. Operations will likely focus on highway surveillance and public tips to track the movement of the identified Lexus LS430, while the Lummi Nation Police Department coordinates cross-jurisdictional efforts to secure the teenager’s safe return.
