Community members and police are searching for a 27-year-old woman who was reported missing in the Ballard area earlier this month.
Violet Benjamin, described as 5 feet 10½ inches tall with a slim build, brown hair, and brown eyes, was last seen around March 1. A neighbor captured video of Benjamin around 3 a.m. that day, showing her walking normally and not appearing disoriented, according to information shared by her family.
Benjamin has several visible tattoos, including barbed wire across her collarbone and a snake on her left arm, along with other tattoos on her arms and legs. She often wears layered necklaces, black combat boots, and dark clothing.
Her family says she left home during a mental health crisis without her phone, medication, or money.
On March 3, a neighbor from Dovetail Contractors found Benjamin’s driver’s license in a parking lot at 1143 NW 45th St., near the PCC in Ballard where she had previously worked.
The following day, several individuals in the Ballard area reported seeing someone matching Benjamin’s description near PCC.
Later on March 4, a man reported finding clothing believed to belong to Benjamin behind the docks at the Ballard boat ramp near the marina behind PCC. The clothing was described as wet and appeared to be what she had been wearing. Seattle police collected the clothing as evidence.
On March 5, Harbor Police reviewed CCTV footage from a boat at the marina but did not identify any relevant activity. According to Benjamin’s family, investigators believe the clothing may have been thrown over a fence from outside the marina.
Another possible sighting was reported on March 6, when a woman matching Benjamin’s description was seen walking west along NW 67th Street between Earl Avenue NW and 28th Avenue NW in Ballard. The woman was described as tall and slim with dark hair, wearing all black and shorts despite cold weather.
Benjamin had a backpack with her when she left home, along with a teddy bear she keeps with her when stressed. Her family believes she may have changed into other clothing from the backpack.
Her family says she may still be in the Ballard area.
Anyone who believes they have seen Benjamin is asked to call 911. Tips can also be reported to Seattle police Officer Saurbier at 206-684-0850 (reference case #2026-57741) or to her father, Yobie Benjamin, at 415-510-1177.
More information, including photos and a map of areas searched by volunteers, is available at findviolet.com. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to locating her safely.