Lisa was on active duty in the United States Army at the time of her disappearance. She completed boot camp on January 26, 1995 and was supposed to report for officer's training at Fort Lee, Virginia on January 27. Her husband, Lawrence Peter Gaudenzi, told police he dropped her off at a Greyhound bus station in Richmond, Virginia on January 26, so she could take a bus to Fort Lee. She never arrived there and has never been heard from again. Police later discovered that there was no Greyhound bus going to Fort Lee on the day of Lisa's disappearance.

Lawrence and Lisa, who have a daughter together, had a history of domestic violence in their relationship, and the police were called to their home at least once. Shortly before her disappearance, Lisa reportedly told her child's babysitter that she was going to seek a divorce. After she went missing, Lawrence maintained she had left of her own accord. He claimed he possessed intimate letters written to Lisa by other men, and that Lisa had been suicidal.

In May 2008, Lawrence was arrested and charged with murder in Lisa's presumed death. He has a long criminal history for crimes including forgery, perjury and illegal possession of a firearm. He is awaiting trial. Investigators have not disclosed the evidence they have against him.

Lisa married on May 20, 1994, the day before she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University. She and Lawrence resided in the 500 block of Redground Drive in Ruther Glen, Virginia. Her remains have never been found, but foul play is suspected in her case due to the circumstances involved.