JAMESTOWN — Thanks to an anonymous donor, the #FreeBreeannaWard movement is offering a $2,000 reward in exchange for her safe return.
Breeanna Ward, 27, disappeared from Williston about six weeks ago. She was last seen on Feb. 25, selling items as part of a Facebook marketplace transaction. Her 28th birthday is on April 23.
“Breeanna is a sister, daughter and mother,” said Chelsey Francis, Ward’s sister. “We miss her and we want her home.”
The anonymous gift came as a surprise.
“We don’t know who did it,” Francis said. “However, we are grateful for their generosity. We hope it encourages people to share what they know. Someone has to know something.”
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Francis and the #FindBreeannaWard movement established a Facebook page as well as a Google form. People can leave tips there anonymously, Francis said, in case they are uncomfortable speaking to the Williston Police Department.
“We’re not giving up,” Francis said.
The group is also planning a vigil for Ward later this month.
How to help
“Please share, share, share, “ said Ward’s cousin, Shelby Brady, also 27, of Amarillo, Texas. “Share on social media. Share with family and friends. If we can keep Breeanna top of mind, perhaps someone will feel safe enough to share whatever information they know.”
To encourage the safe return of their loved one, the family is continuing to raise money for a reward. The goal is to raise $5,000.
Individuals can also purchase #FindBreeannaWard apparel. A portion of the proceeds are donated back to the family.
The family is accepting donations to the following:
- CashApp: $sbrady96
- Venmo: Shelby-Brady-5
- Paypal: ShelbyBrady205
Apparel is available here .
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People are encouraged to attend the April 27 vigil in Williston.
Where is Ward?
Breeanna Ward is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds. Though she often changes her appearance, her hair is currently shoulder-length and a dark auburn color.
Courtesy / Chelsey Francis
Identifying marks include:
- an anchor tattoo on her right hip
- an infinity symbol tattoo on her right ankle
- a blue frog tattoo on her left lower leg
- a star on her left thigh and green vines on her right arm
Ward’s boyfriend, 43-year-old Joe Lachance, reported her missing on Feb. 28.
Unhoused, the couple “bounced around and squatted” in various locations around Williston. In addition to no permanent address, Ward had no vehicle and no credit cards. Authorities have not been able to locate her cellphone, Francis said.
Ward grew up in Amarillo, Texas, before moving to Fairview, Montana, in 2011. She graduated from Fairview High School in 2014.
Her history includes substance misuse as well as theft of property and shoplifting charges. Despite this, her history also includes multiple attempts at sobriety, including a stint from 2019-2022. Francis, of Jamestown, said her sister was working to get back into rehabilitation.
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Francis also said Williston police have identified Lachance as a person of interest in the case and have questioned him. Lachance continues to communicate with the family.
“More than a month out and Breeanna is still missing. We’re not giving up though. I’m physically and emotionally exhausted, but I will not quit until I find my sister,” Francis said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Williston Police Department at (701) 577-1212 or submit an anonymous tip through the family’s Google Form here .
In addition, the Williston Police Department teamed up with Northwest Regional Crime Prevention (formerly Crimestoppers) to provide the public with the ability to turn in anonymous tips.
Northwest Regional Crime Prevention is a nonprofit organization that encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime in the city of Williston and Williams and McKenzie counties. The group works with the public to reduce crime as well as to arrest and convict criminals and fugitives.
To send an anonymous tip via text message to Northwest Regional Crime Prevention, text the keyword NWRCP and your tip to 847411.