Laura's husband, David Johnson, dropped her off at the Billy Club bar on North Vail Avenue in Arlington, Illinois at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 4, 1990. (The establishment is now called Harry's Of Arlington). He returned to their residence in the 20 block of South Highland Avenue in Arlington Heights to care for their two children. Laura eventually visited the Hob Nob lounge near Northwest Highway and Palatine Road in Palatine, Illinois during the evening. She was accompanied by a group of unidentified friends at the time.

Witnesses said that Laura spoke with an unidentified Caucasian male with brown hair and a moustache. Witnesses told authorities that the man spoke with a southern accent and claimed to be a truck driver from Memphis, Tennessee. He was approximately 5'8 to 5'10 tall and appeared to be in his mid-to-late twenties. He had dark hair and a moustache. Laura was last seen at approximately 4:00 a.m. on May 5. She and the man were walking to the rear of the club's parking lot at the time of her disappearance. Laura never returned home and has not been heard from again.

David did not report his wife as a missing person immediately. He told authorities that Laura occasionally stayed out late with friends, but said it was uncharacteristic of her to leave without warning. Investigators said that there was no evidence suggesting David was involved in her case, but he has never been eliminated as a possible suspect. Authorities said that he appeared nonchalant when reporting Laura's disappearance and never maintained contact with investigators. David eventually moved to Savannah, Georgia and relinquished custody of their two children to Laura's mother. He refused to take a polygraph exam, but he has never been charged in connection with his wife's case. Investigators had been summoned to the couple's home as the result of two domestic disturbances prior to May 1990. Authorities said that the incidents did not indicate signs of marital discord.

Laura is described as an extrovert who was close with her children. She and David previously lived in Arizona before relocating to Illinois in 1988. Laura's case remains unsolved.