Gabriela was last seen when her mother dropped her off at school on April 5, 2002. She did not attend her classes that day; she had not, in fact, gone to any since two days before her disappearance. She apparently went to visit her nineteen-year-old boyfriend, Juan Jose Vera, in Chula Vista, California instead. She has never been heard from again.

Authorities initially believed Gabriela had run away and many agencies continue to classify her as such, but now police suspect foul play may have been involved in her disappearance. In June 2005, police searched the Otay River Bottom in Palm City, California, because they thought her body might be buried there. Nothing was found, however. Vera has gang affiliations and was allegedly abusive towards Gabriela, and he is considered a person of interest in her disappearance. He has been incarcerated on several unrelated charges since February 2003.

Gabriela left a note behind when she disappeared which indicated she left of her own accord. She was a freshman at Montgomery High School in 2002, and was not a good student. Her case remains unsolved.