Corey was last seen at the residence he shared with his mother, Debbie Derr, on Second Street in New Columbia, Pennsylvania on October 12, 1986. They lived with Corey's sister; a roommate, Alberta Sones; and Sones's two young children. Derr left Corey asleep in her upstairs bedroom while she went to a nearby convenience store for a pizza at approximately 12:10 a.m. Derr returned at approximately 12:40 a.m. and discovered that her son had disappeared, and the door was open. Sones told authorities that she didn't see Corey leave the house or anyone enter the house while his mother was away and never heard any strange noises. The child has never been seen again.