Figueroa was last seen leaving her home in Littlerock, California, at 4:00 a.m. on May 19, 2015. She told her family she was taking a short trip to Los Angeles. Later that day, her parents received a text from her phone saying, “Had to leave, be home soon.” However, they do not believe Figueroa sent the message herself. On May 30, her burgundy 2004 Mercedes-Benz SUV was found abandoned in a shed about seven miles from her home. The vehicle had scratches, suggesting it may have been forced off the road. Figueroa had expressed a desire to turn her life around. She planned to enter a rehabilitation program, move out of state with her daughter, and enroll in college. Her father had even arranged for her to start treatment. Her family believes that local gangs were involved in her disappearance. Her boyfriend, David Nash McKell, was incarcerated on unrelated murder charges at the time. Although he initially cooperated with police, he later stopped after being threatened.