Rupinder was last seen in Fort Myers, Florida. Her husband says she left on October 2 to seek a nursing job in New York. She has never been heard from again. A coworker reported her missing on October 19. Rupinder left behind some personal belongings, she missed a doctor appointment after her disappearance, and there has been no activity on her credit cards or cellular phone since she went missing. It is uncharacteristic of her to leave without warning, and Rupinder's relatives stated she liked her job and would not have wanted to leave it.

Rupinder's husband, Kultar Singh Goraya, is considered a person of interest in her case. Their marriage was arranged and Rupinder's relatives describe it as an unhappy relationship. There is a history of domestic violence in the marriage; Kultar was arrested for domestic battery on May 17, 2007. Rupinder had abrasions on her neck and accused her husband of choking her and threatening to stab her. Kulter spent the night in jail and received anger management counseling. Rupinder obtained a restraining order against him, but the couple reconciled a few months later and began living together in the Montego Bay Apartments on Colonial Boulevard. They were still living together when Rupiner disappeared. Kultar left with their toddler son shortly after Rupinder was reported missing and traveled to the province of Punjab in India. He returned to the United States months later.

Kultar stated his wife had two extramarital affairs and possibly ran away with a lover, but Rupinder's loved ones stated she was not unfaithful and investigators have found no evidence that she had a boyfriend. Authorities stated they did not find Kultar's statements about Rupinder's disappearance to be credible, but he has not been charged in her case.

Rupinder is a registered nurse. She had been employed at the Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center, but was on medical leave from her job at the time of her disappearance. She and Kultar emigrated to the United States in 2006. Her case remains unsolved.