Govan was last seen in Cordova, South Carolina, on November 10, 2008, while visiting friends at a residence on Citron Drive. At 10:09 p.m., he called his fiancée to inform her that he would be home soon. Shortly after, a small gray Toyota truck began circling the neighborhood. At approximately 10:15 p.m., the truck stopped near Govan, and witnesses reported hearing an argument between two men, followed by several gunshots.
One of the men allegedly shouted, "I should kill you," before more shots were fired. The truck then fled the scene at a high speed. Authorities later discovered Govan's cell phone, cigarette lighter, and over 30 bullet casings at the location of the incident. Govan has not been seen or heard from since that night and is presumed to have been abducted.