OK FAITH LINDSEY: Missing from Pauls Valley, OK - 29 Oct 2019 - Age 17

'It Just Wasn't Her': Okla. Teen Is Missing After Sister Received Misspelled Texts From Her Phone

Faith Lindsey, 17, of Pauls Valley, has been missing since early November
By KC Baker
November 25, 2019 04:39 PM

Authorities are searching for an Oklahoma teen who’s been missing since early November.

On Nov. 4, the family of Faith Lindsey, 17, of Pauls Valley, reported her missing, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), local stations KXII, Oklahoma News 4 and The Shawnee News-Star report.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” her sister, Justice Lindsey, told Oklahoma News 4. “This isn’t like Faith at all.”

Lindsey was living with her boyfriend in Pauls Valley when she went missing, Justice told the station.

On Nov. 4, Lindsey’s boyfriend “texted me…saying that he can’t find her, she’s missing, freaking out,” Justice told News 4.

Shortly after, Justice started receiving texts from Faith’s phone with odd messages that just didn’t feel right, she says.

“She was misspelling a lot of things that night,” Justice told News 4. “She has very good punctuation and spelling, and that just wasn’t her.” Justice told News 4.

People

"It makes my heart feel good to see people come out and help us out," said Jesse Lindsey, Faith’s grandfather.

Faith’s grandfather Jesse Lindsey said hasn’t been seen or heard from since October 29.

He said Faith was a 4.0 student who was shy but had a passion for helping people.

They last spoke two days before her disappearance.

"Now it went to a body search, kind of a different mood,” said Jesse.

news12


MEDIA

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Murder Charge Filed Against Missing Pauls Valley Teen’s Boyfriend

A charge for murder in the first degree, with a pre-mediated design was filed Friday against 24-year-old Tanner Washington for the murder of his girlfriend, 17-year-old Faith Lindsey. Washington was arrested back on December 20, on a first-degree murder w

www.newson6.com

A charge for murder in the first degree, with a pre-mediated design was filed Friday against 24-year-old Tanner Washington for the murder of his girlfriend, 17-year-old Faith Lindsey.

Washington was arrested back on December 20, on a first-degree murder warrant.

“Ultimately we ended up with enough probable cause that the DA and a judge signed off on a first-degree murder arrest warrant,” said Brook Arbeitman with the OSBI.

According to newly obtained court documents, between October 27 and October 28 by unlawfully and with malice Washington caused the death of Faith Lindsey by inflicting certain mortal wounds on her from which she died.

Right now, Washington is being held in the Oklahoma County Jail with no bond.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Sister of missing Oklahoma teen warns others about potentially fatal outcomes of domestic violence

Sister of missing Oklahoma teen warns others about potentially fatal outcomes of domestic violence

kfor.com

Sister of missing Oklahoma teen warns others about potentially fatal outcomes of domestic violence​

It’s been nearly a year since Faith Lindsey went missing from Pauls Valley. The 17-year-old, presumed murdered by her boyfriend, Tanner Washington, although her body has yet to be found.

Faith’s sister, Justice, said not having that closure of knowing what happened has left her haunted.

“It’s a hard time because not knowing where she’s at, not knowing if she’s still here or if she’s gone,” said Justice. “We don’t know.”

Justice said the family did not agree with the teen’s relationship with Washington, even before the alleged abuse started.

“We tried and tried to get her away from him,” said Justice. “She was so young. She didn’t realize. She didn’t know what love was, really, and she thought she loved him.”

The so-called love stemming from a promising beginning…

“He spoiled her, bought her all kinds of things, but there was the domestic violence,” said Justice. “I believe he went to jail once or twice, someone called the cops or she called the cops for him hitting on her. The thing is, I think he would do that and then try to make it up to her. That’s why she would stick around. She wasn’t used to getting spoiled the way he did to her.”

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA director, Deborah Shipman, said this problem is common among Native Americans, Faith being of Chickasaw heritage.

“About one in seven native women are murdered, and murder is the number two cause of death for a native woman,” said Shipman. “That’s unacceptable.”

The group is actively helping Faith’s family as they navigate Washington’s trial, which has been postponed due to the pandemic, but could also be affected by the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the McGirt decision, which calls for crimes involving Native Americans on tribal land be tried in tribal court.

While Faith’s family awaits closure, Justice shares a message to women and younger girls who are also victims of domestic violence.

“Don’t let your pride get in the way or don’t be embarrassed about it, because my sister, she’s missing. We don’t know what happened to her because of this. It lead up to this,” said Justice. “So many girls go missing every day just because they don’t leave or other situations in domestic violence. It did lead up to this.”

Justice said her family is planning a candlelight vigil for Faith and other victims of domestic violence, as October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They are working out the logistics due to the coronavirus pandemic and still need to get it approved by the City of Ada, Faith’s hometown.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

This is the entire article. No details. Can't find anything else about a search.... There is a vigil tomorrow, though.

Full-blown search underway for missing Oklahoma teen

A full-blown search is underway for missing Oklahoma teen, Faith Lindsey, who disappeared a year ago from Pauls Valley.

kfor.com

Full-blown search underway for missing Oklahoma teen​

A search is underway for missing Oklahoma teen, Faith Lindsey, per Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA director, Deborah Shipman.

Lindsey went missing from Pauls Valley in November 2019. The 17-year-old presumed murdered by her boyfriend, Tanner Washington, although her body has yet to be found.

A vigil will be held in Lindsey’s honor on Saturday, November 14 from 12-2 p.m. in Ada, her hometown. It will mark one year since she disappeared.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Seven years of Dateline's Missing in America: 156 still missing

Dateline NBC's social and digital series 'Missing in America' began on December 5, 2013, following a question the night before to our Facebook community, "Do you know anyone who has simply vanished?" The response was overwhelming. Since that first post, every week we have tried to feature the...

www.nbcnews.com

Faith Lindsey hasn’t been seen since October 28, 2019, at her Pauls Valley, Oklahoma home where the 17-year-old lived with her boyfriend, Tanner Washington. Her sister, Justice Lindsey, told Dateline she received texts from Faith’s boyfriend stating that he couldn’t find her. A short time later, she received text messages from Faith’s phone she said were misspelled and did not make any sense. Faith was reported missing by family members on November 4, 2019. In December 2019, the Del City Police arrested 24-year-old Tanner Washington on a first-degree murder charge in connection with her murder. The investigation is still open and ongoing as the OSBI works to locate Faith’s body. The OSBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the location of her body. She was described as 5’2”, 120 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. She had a tattoo on her abdomen of a key with the initials JL and SM, and a cross tattoo on her thumb. If you know something about Faith’s disappearance, or if you saw something unusual or suspicious around the time she vanished, please contact the OSBI at (800) 522-8017 or tips@osbi.ok.gov.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

New tribal law drops murder charge

An accused killer of a missing Pauls Valley teenager presumed dead won't be facing a murder charge in a state court because of Native American connections to the case.

www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com

New tribal law drops murder charge​

An accused killer of a missing Pauls Valley teenager presumed dead won't be facing a murder charge in a state court because of Native American connections to the case.

The murder charge against Tanner Washington, 26, was dismissed this week in a Pontotoc County court because of two high court rulings that say it's the Native American tribes, not the state of Oklahoma, that has the jurisdiction to prosecute cases like this one.

Washington is accused of killing 17-year-old Faith Lindsey of Pauls Valley. Lindsay, who has been missing since 2019 and believed dead even though no body has ever been recovered, was a member of a recognized tribe possessing a quantum of Indian blood.

Washington has been ordered to stay in jail for 30 days to see if the murder case will be moved to federal or tribal court.

 

[GrandmaBear]

New tribal law drops murder charge

An accused killer of a missing Pauls Valley teenager presumed dead won't be facing a murder charge in a state court because of Native American connections to the case.

www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com

New tribal law drops murder charge​

An accused killer of a missing Pauls Valley teenager presumed dead won't be facing a murder charge in a state court because of Native American connections to the case.

The murder charge against Tanner Washington, 26, was dismissed this week in a Pontotoc County court because of two high court rulings that say it's the Native American tribes, not the state of Oklahoma, that has the jurisdiction to prosecute cases like this one.

Washington is accused of killing 17-year-old Faith Lindsey of Pauls Valley. Lindsay, who has been missing since 2019 and believed dead even though no body has ever been recovered, was a member of a recognized tribe possessing a quantum of Indian blood.

Washington has been ordered to stay in jail for 30 days to see if the murder case will be moved to federal or tribal court.

Are you kidding me?? So we have a county brave enough to prosecute without a body with enough circumstantial evidence and now this?? That's not to say tribal jurisdiction may not proceed with the case just as strongly but I also would not count on it until we see it. That could go either way...

 

[Kimster]

New tribal law drops murder charge

An accused killer of a missing Pauls Valley teenager presumed dead won't be facing a murder charge in a state court because of Native American connections to the case.

www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com

New tribal law drops murder charge​

An accused killer of a missing Pauls Valley teenager presumed dead won't be facing a murder charge in a state court because of Native American connections to the case.

The murder charge against Tanner Washington, 26, was dismissed this week in a Pontotoc County court because of two high court rulings that say it's the Native American tribes, not the state of Oklahoma, that has the jurisdiction to prosecute cases like this one.

Washington is accused of killing 17-year-old Faith Lindsey of Pauls Valley. Lindsay, who has been missing since 2019 and believed dead even though no body has ever been recovered, was a member of a recognized tribe possessing a quantum of Indian blood.

Washington has been ordered to stay in jail for 30 days to see if the murder case will be moved to federal or tribal court.

What about FAITH!???????????

I'm angry!

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Are you kidding me?? So we have a county brave enough to prosecute without a body with enough circumstantial evidence and now this?? That's not to say tribal jurisdiction may not proceed with the case just as strongly but I also would not count on it until we see it. That could go either way...

I imagine it will be similar to how federal crimes are handled.
Doesn't mean that her murder won't be charged and go to court, just that it has to be done by a different system.
Not ideal by any means, since they were already moving forward with the case and this will be a setback. But kind of understandable, IMO. Most tribes and reservations have their own law enforcement and laws and are handled through the tribe or federally.
Here's a bit more info:

Charge goes away in murder case

A murder charge against a suspect, accused of killing a Pauls Valley teenager missing since 2019, was recently dismissed because his alleged crime occurred on Native American land.

www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

I imagine it will be similar to how federal crimes are handled.
Doesn't mean that her murder won't be charged and go to court, just that it has to be done by a different system.
Not ideal by any means, since they were already moving forward with the case and this will be a setback. But kind of understandable, IMO. Most tribes and reservations have their own law enforcement and laws and are handled through the tribe or federally.
Here's a bit more info:

Charge goes away in murder case

A murder charge against a suspect, accused of killing a Pauls Valley teenager missing since 2019, was recently dismissed because his alleged crime occurred on Native American land.

www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com

I sure hope so. One would think something would be heard before too long if another agency is going to proceed.

 

[kdg411]

*(not directly related to this case however it may help cases like this get pushed into the proper courts for justice to be served)

Federal bill to address criminal jurisdiction in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two of the most powerful Native American tribes in Oklahoma said Monday they've reached an agreement on federal legislation that would address concerns over criminal jurisdiction in light of a recent U.S.

apnews.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Everybody take a deep breath. The murder charges are back.

Stratford man in federal custody after charged for allegedly murdering girlfriend

26-year-old Tanner Washington is federally charged for supposedly murdering his 17-year-old girlfriend, Faith Lindsey in 2019.

www.kxii.com

Stratford man in federal custody after charged for allegedly murdering girlfriend​

26-year-old Tanner Washington is federally charged for supposedly murdering his 17-year-old girlfriend, Faith Lindsey in 2019.


Court documents show Washington tried to seek the McGirt ruling, which states that Oklahoma district attorneys have no jurisdiction in tribal crimes committed to or against tribal citizens.

But Pontotoc District Attorney Paul Smith said the federal government picked up his case, and said Washington will remain in federal custody in the Pittsburg County Jail in McAlester.

Smith said Washington has been charged for murder in Indian Country. He is due in court via video conference on May 17, 2021 at 10 a.m.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

A look at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women featured in Dateline NBC’s Missing in America and Cold Case Spotlight

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women featured in Dateline NBC's Missing in America and Cold Case Spotlight​

Faith Lindsey went missing from the Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, apartment she shared with her boyfriend, Tanner Washington, on October 28, 2019.

Faith’s sister, Justice, told Dateline in December 2019 that a panicked Washington texted her that night and said he couldn’t find Faith. Shortly after, Justice said she began receiving suspicious hang up calls and strange messages with misspellings from her sister’s phone.

Throughout the investigation, agents developed probable cause that Washington was responsible for Faith’s death, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).

On December 19, 2019, the Del City Police arrested Washington at a 7-Eleven in Del City, Oklahoma, and charged him with first-degree murder.

However, due to the Supreme Court’s McGirt ruling in August 2020, which changed the way state authorities prosecute Native Americans, Washington filed to have the case dropped because the alleged crime took place on Native American land. The case was dismissed in Pontotoc County.

But in May 2021, a federal complaint for first-degree murder against Washington was filed in federal court. According to the new criminal complaint, Washington willfully and maliciously shot Lindsey on or about October 27, 2019. He has pleaded not guilty.

Court documents state that blood was found on Washington’s clothes, and following search warrants obtained by the OSBI, the same blood was found in the car he was driving and a truck he had just sold. The blood found was a biological match to DNA provided by Lindsey’s parents.

The OSBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the location of Faith’s body.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OSBI at 800-522-8017 or tips@osbi.ok.gov.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

OSBI searches for answers in 2-year-old cold case

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) says they are determined to locate the remains of a 17 year-old from a 2-year-old cold case. Faith Lindsey was last heard from two years ago today, October 28, OSBI officials say. The OSBI's investigation led to murder charges being filed in...

okcfox.com

OSBI searches for answers in 2-year-old cold case

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) says they are determined to locate the remains of a 17-year-old from a 2-year-old cold case.


OSBI says they have conducted multiple searches in Seminole, Garvin, and Ponotoc Counties over the past two years in an effort to locate Lindsey’s remains.

To date, she has not been found.

If you have information about Lindsey's case, contact the OSBI at (800) 522-8017 or email tips@osbi.ok.gov. You can remain anonymous.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Suspect in Faith Lindsey case to plead guilty to amended charge

A man suspected of killing 17-year-old Faith Lindsey is expected to plead guilty Wednesday in federal court to an amended charge.

www.theadanews.com

Suspect in Faith Lindsey case to plead guilty to amended charge​

A man suspected of killing 17-year-old Faith Lindsey is expected to plead guilty Wednesday in federal court to an amended charge.

According to federal court documents, Tanner Dean Washington, 27, of Stratford -- originally charged with murder in Indian Country -- is expected to "enter a plea of guilty to amended charges under the terms of a plea agreement negotiated between the parties."

On Monday, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma filed a charge of second-degree murder against Washington, saying that Washington, "a non-Indian, with malice aforethought, did unlawfully kill Faith Lindsey, an Indian, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1111(a), 1151, and 1152."


Terms of the plea agreement did not appear in court records.

When asked if Washington has -- or is intending to -- reveal what happened to the victim in the case, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma Christopher Wilson said he was not at liberty to discuss that "at this time."

 

[Mel70]

All the pleas, Excuses, Defendant rights, It's so sickening. It keeps getting worse.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Faith Lindsey's killer to be sentenced in February

Tanner Dean Washington, 29, Stratford, admitted killer of 17-year-old Faith Lindsey, is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 29 for her murder.

www.theadanews.com

Faith Lindsey's killer to be sentenced in February​

Tanner Dean Washington, 29, Stratford, admitted killer of 17-year-old Faith Lindsey, is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 29 for her murder.

Lindsay disappeared from Pauls Valley on Oct. 29, 2019, and is believed dead, even though a body has yet to be recovered.

Washington’s sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Courtroom 1, Room 230, of the U.S. Courthouse in Muskogee.

 

[Kimster]

I still don’t know why they accepted a plea without knowing what he did with her body.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Ada man sentenced to life in prison for 2019 murder of 17-year-old girlfriend, body never found

An Ada man was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for the 2019 murder of his 17-year-old girlfriend.

www.fox23.com

Ada man sentenced to life in prison for 2019 murder of 17-year-old girlfriend, body never found​

An Ada man was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for the 2019 murder of his 17-year-old girlfriend.

Tanner Washington, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of second degree murder in Indian Country on Aug. 31, 2022, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced.

As part of the plea, Washington admitted to murdering 17-year-old Faith Lindsey on Oct. 27, 2019.

Lindsey's body has yet to be found, the announcement said.

"The defendant's life sentence is part of our effort to seek justice and accountability for the tragic murder of an innocent young woman, who had a long and vibrant life ahead of her," said FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Sonia Garcia. "I am grateful for the unwavering work of our investigators and our law enforcement partners in this case – may it bring some measure of peace to the victim's family."

"The OSBI, along with other law enforcement agencies, continues to search for Faith Lindsey," said OSBI Public Information Manager Hunter McKee. "We appreciate everyone's hard work and dedication in arresting and prosecuting the suspect responsible for this heinous crime. We will continue our search for Faith and will not give up our efforts until she is brought home."

"I applaud the great work of the Eastern District U.S. Attorney's Office for the successful prosecution of Tanner Washington," said District Attorney Erik Johnson for District 22 comprising Pontotoc, Seminole, and Hughes Counties. "This case has left holes in a lot of hearts in Pontotoc County, and I'm glad to see that Tanner Washington will spend the rest of his days in federal prison."

"The Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department recognizes the valuable partnership between the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the District 22 District Attorney Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Seminole and Pontotoc County Sheriff's Offices, and the Pauls Valley Police Department for their work to bring resolution to this case," said Charles C. Palmer, Chief of the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department. "The combined efforts to seek justice for a Chickasaw citizen within the Chickasaw Nation highlights the continued working relationship of law enforcement within Indian country."

"The sentence imposed was a direct result of the defendant's heinous crime and—despite pleading guilty—his callous refusal to provide the location of the victim's body," said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. "I commend the work of state, county, tribal, and federal law enforcement in identifying Washington as the suspect and of our federal prosecutors in advocating for a life sentence."

Washington will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility.