Family advocates for policy change after tragic loss of Angela Silva due to police inaction

During the Everett City Council meeting on March 12, 2025, a deeply emotional testimony highlighted critical failures in law enforcement's response to a mental health crisis that led to a tragic loss. A resident shared the heartbreaking story of his fiancée, Angela Kaylee Lonnie Silva, who went missing on March 2 after expressing suicidal intent and having access to a firearm.

The resident recounted his desperate attempts to seek help from the Everett Police Department, detailing how he reported Angela's mental health crisis and her potential danger. Despite his urgent pleas, he faced dismissive responses from officers, who cited policies that limited their ability to act. The testimony revealed that a rookie officer refused to initiate a search, stating that adults have the right to leave, even in crisis situations.

As the hours passed, the resident sought assistance from other police departments, but the response remained inadequate. It wasn't until over 24 hours after his initial report that an officer finally arrived to file a missing person's report. Tragically, Angela was found deceased less than 12 hours later, just minutes from her family home.

This incident underscores significant gaps in the current policies and practices of law enforcement when responding to mental health emergencies. The resident called for immediate reforms, including the implementation of real-time license plate tracking and improved training for officers to handle such crises with compassion and urgency.

The testimony served as a poignant reminder of the need for systemic changes in how mental health crises are addressed in Everett and surrounding areas. The resident urged the city and law enforcement agencies to take action to prevent future tragedies, emphasizing that no other family should endure the pain his has experienced. The council's response to this urgent call for reform remains to be seen, but the impact of this testimony is sure to resonate within the community.