Gordon was last seen as she left her family's residence in Atchison County, Kansas at 2:00 a.m. on October 5, 1992 after an argument. She said she wanted to take a drive to cool off. She has never been heard from again.

Two of Gordon's children discovered her vehicle parked in a lot near an abandoned farmhouse in Atchison County the following day. Gordon's purse and a suitcase were located inside the car. The engine was running and the radio was turned on, but there was no sign of Gordon at the scene. There were several possible sightings of her in the local area after her disappearance, some reported by people known to her. None of the sightings were confirmed, however. Gordon's husband divorced her in 1994, and remarried in 1997. He committed suicide the following year. Police did not call him a suspect in Gordon's disappearance, although many rumors about his possible involvement circled in the local community.

Authorities believe Gordon met with foul play, as it is uncharacteristic of her to abandon her children. Her case remains unsolved.