Hattie was last seen at a Sheetz gas station at the intersection of Route 501 and Route 58 in Halifax County, Virginia on May 16, 2009. She and her vehicle, a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta with the Virginia license plate number DV 20505, were captured on the station's security camera at 2:33 a.m. She has never been heard from again. Hattie was accompanied by her adult nephew, Derek Edward Brown, when she was seen at the gas station; he made it home safely.

In July, two months after Hattie's disappearance, her car was found abandoned and burned on a farm in southeastern Halifax County. It had been completely destroyed by the fire and looked as if it had been parked at the location for a long time. After the vehicle's discovery, police publicly named Derek as a suspect in his aunt's disappearance. He hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing in connection with it, however. Derek has a prior criminal record for breaking and entering, destroying property and possession of burglary tools.

Hattie's family stated they didn't believe she left of her own accord, as this is unchacteristic of her behavior. She left her purse and medication behind, as well as her cherished pet Chihuahua, when she vanished, and none of her accounts have been touched. Hattie is an Army veteran who participated in Operation Desert Storm; she retired in 1998, with the rank of sergeant. Her case remains unsolved.