Heather disappeared from Athens, Texas on August 27, 2009. Authorities believe she left of her own accord. She was last seen in the company of her biological father, Jerral Allen Whitley. A photo of him is posted to the right. Whitley refused to take a polygraph test after Heather's disappearance and was later incarcerated in Florida for drug offenses and grand theft. He was imprisoned for 18 months before being released in October 2014. Heather had previously traveled to Florida and New York. Her whereabouts remain unknown. Her ears, tongue, and navel are pierced. She was 15 years old at the time. Age-progression photo to age 26.