Deborah was last seen in Townsend, Massachusetts on May 3, 1977. Deborah left a note for her parents, saying she was going to ride her bicycle from their home in the 10 block of Smith Street to her grandparents' campsite on Vinton Pond Road in West Townsend, near Pearl Hill State Park, about four miles from her own home. She said she would return later that day. After her disappearance, police found an undelivered letter in Deborah's locker. It was written to a friend and stated that Deborah was upset and wanted to talk to her, and gave directions to her grandparents' home. A friend accompanied Deborah as far as Turnpike Road near her grandmother's residence, then turned back while Deborah continued onward. She has never been heard from again. Deborah's bicycle, a brown Takara or Schwinn 10-speed model, has never been recovered. In 2003 and 2004, investigators searched Walker Pond, but found nothing related to Deborah’s case. Her case remains unsolved.