Gramling was last seen on the afternoon of March 30, 1997, when left his residence in south Richmond County, Georgia to ride his green 1997 Honda TRX300 four-wheeler to a male friend's home, a five-minute drive away. He told his parents he would call if he was going to be late coming back. He never returned and has not been seen or heard from since. Gramling's four-wheeler was found abandoned a week later in a wooded area off Windsor Spring Road in Richmond County. It was covered with human blood. Investigators have questioned two suspects in his disappearance, but no one has ever been charged.

Gramling did not take any money or clothing with him when he disappeared, and he also left his stereo behind. He dropped out of high school prior to his disappearance and took a night shift job at President's Bakery. His parents describe him as a poor reader but a good-hearted and non-violent man. He was declared legally dead in 2002. Authorities are investigating his case as a homicide, but little evidence is available.