BREMERTON, Wash. — A missing autistic woman has been found safe, and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the transient sex offender believed to have lured her over the internet.
Hannah Marie Davis, 21, was last seen at her home on Stirrup Ct NW in Bremerton around 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17.
The sheriff’s office told KOMO News that Davis is a dependent adult on the autism spectrum with the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.
She was believed to be with 21-year-old Leroy Franklin Nickols, a registered sex offender. Records show Nickols has a 2022 conviction for second-degree rape, as well as two felony convictions for assault in 2024 and 2025.
Authorities suspected Nickols lured Davis away from her home after communicating with her online for about a month.
Nickols is reportedly transient in Thurston and Lewis counties, is known to take public transit, and has also been linked to a homeless shelter in Olympia.
Family members also told law enforcement that Nickols was aware of Hannah’s dependent status but had refused to disclose their whereabouts or ensure her safety.
Shortly after 1 p.m. on Jan. 19, the KCSO announced Davis had been found safe in the Olympia area.
Nickols has been arrested and is in custody. Authorities are currently investigating this incident as a kidnapping.
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This is a developing story, and more information will be added as it becomes available.
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