Karen and her then-sister-in-law, Christy Spencer, were driving along Interstate 275 in Miami Township, Ohio on December 29, 1989. Karen was driving Christy's car, a black Buick Regal. At approximately 3:00 a.m., the two women got into an argument regarding plans for Karen to move to Florida with her brother and Christy after she finished high school. Karen pulled over between the Montgomery Road and Ohio 28 exits and got out. According to Christy, Karen began walking north after she left her sister-in-law's vehicle. Christy drove three miles to the nearest interchange, then turned around and went back looking for Karen, but didn't see her. She has not been heard from again.