Bui was last seen 4:00 p.m. on October 16, 1997 in the vicinity of the 9500 block of Albemarle Road in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 16, 1997, by her daugher. Bui wished her daughter to come with her to Bui's Lincolnton, North Carolina residence, but the daughter was unable to go at that time. They were supposed to get together to paint Bui's home the following weekend, but Bui had disappeared by then.

Bui has never been heard from again. She was living with a boyfriend at the time of her disappearance, who took a check to her insurance company and said that she was in a mental institution, but there is no evidence to verify his claims. Bui's vehicle, a red Chevrolet Blazer with gray stripes, was later located with an acquaintance driving it on June 12, 1998 in Catawba County, North Carolina.

Bui is described as a friendly, kind-hearted person. Her case remains unsolved. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are unclear.