Heather was last seen at White Pine Middle School in Ely, Nevada on April 4, 2003. Cigarettes were found in her possession and she was suspended from school as a result. She never returned home has never been heard from again. She is believed to have left of her own accord.

At the time of her disappearance, Heather was having problems with her stepmother and she missed her brother, who had moved to Oklahoma. None of her relatives, including her family in Oklahoma, has heard from her since she went missing. Heather's loved ones believe she may have come to harm after running away, as it is uncharacteristic of her to be out of touch with them for this long. Few details are available in her case.