Fadden was last seen by her mother inside their home on March 3, 1997. Her mother reported her missing two days later, on March 5.

In September 1999, a 32-year-old Lowell man named James Howley hung himself after being questioned in the kidnapping and murder of an eleven-year-old Lowell girl, Tabitha Potter. Potter's body was found in Shedd Park three days after she was reported missing. After Howley's death, police were able to identify him as the killer through DNA and other forensic testing. He knew Fadden and they were reportedly romantically involved.

Howley is considered a suspect in Fadden's disappearance. There have been many reports with regards to her whereabouts over the years, but none have panned out. Authorities are not ruling out the possibility of foul play in her disappearance, which remains unsolved.