Hammel left her place of employment, 24-Hour Fitness, in Houston, Texas on March 23, 1998. A co-worker dropped Hammel off at her apartment in the 1200 block of Wilcrest at approximately 2:00 p.m. Hammel's boyfriend saw her at her residence one hour later at 3:00 p.m. He left the apartment and returned at approximately 6:00 p.m., by which time Hammel disappeared. She has never been seen again. She was carrying a black purse at the time of her disappearance.

Hammel was employed part-time at Nick's Sports Bar and Grill in Houston in 1998. She had an argument with Jose Arenales at the restaurant on March 22, 1998, the night before she disappeared. It is not known if this incident is connected to Hammel's case. Her relationship with her boyfriend, who is the father of her young daughter, was described as "rocky," but he has not been charged in connection with her disappearance.

Authorities do not believe Hammel left of her own accord, as she was attached to her daughter and it would be uncharacteristic of her to abandon the child. Hammel's mother held a memorial service for her daughter in March 2006. Her disappearance remains unsolved.