Hamilton said goodbye to his father and departed his residence in the vicinity of Gladstone Boulevard and St. John Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri on January 2, 1996, after watching a holiday bowl game. He gave no explanation as to why he was leaving at the time and he has never been seen again.

Authorities do not suspect foul play was involved in Hamilton's disappearance, but it is unclear what caused him to vanish. His family stated he was very intelligent and good at mathematics, but had a low self-esteem and thought of himself as stupid and ugly. At the time of his disappearance, he was living with his brother and helping to raise his brother's two children. His family believes he may be deceased. Hamilton may have traveled to Minnesota or Florida after his disappearance. His case remains unsolved.