Paula was last seen around 6:00 a.m. on September 17, 1996, in her hometown of Harrison, Tennessee. At the time, she was estranged from her husband, Donald Ray “Donnie” Burnette. The couple shared two children, but their relationship was troubled. On the day before her disappearance, Paula called the police to have Donald removed from their home. Fearing for her safety, she asked her father to stay with her overnight, concerned that Donald might return and harm her. Later that day, Donald contacted Paula’s father and asked him to pick up the children, claiming Paula needed a vacation. When Paula failed to reach out to her loved ones by September 21, her father reported her missing. Paula has not been seen or heard from since. In October 1996, her driver’s license was found in the 9500 block of Harrison Bay Road in Harrison. Months later, in April 1997, her purse and address book were discovered in the backyard of a Chattanooga residence after a flood. Paula’s case remains unsolved, and foul play is suspected due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance.