Downey left a note for his mother at their family's Seattle, Washington residence on May 8, 1987. The letter stated that he was spending the night at a friend's home. When Downey failed to return to his house the following day, the friend said that he never saw Downey the evening before. Another witness stated that Downey was seen entering a large white car, possibly a 1974 or 1975 Chevrolet Impala, in Seattle later in the day on May 8. He may have remained in the general area after his disappearance. He has never been heard from again.

Downey may have departed from his residence of his own accord, but the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are unclear. He was a student at Sylvester Middle School at the time that he went missing, and tended to associate with people much older than himself. His case remains unsolved.