Lovely was moving with his family from Massachusetts to California in August 1985, when he became separated from them. His family was riding in a large U-Haul truck, and Lovely rode his burgundy or maroon 1978 Model 1100 Yamaha motorcycle with California license plates 8N3477. The motorcycle was outfitted with saddlebags and a luggage rack. Lovely's family stopped every thirty miles to check on him.

In Evanston, Illinois, Lovely's parents wanted to stop and he wanted to keep going. They let him go. Later, Lovely called his aunt and claimed his motorcycle had broken down in Fort Bridger, Wyoming but that a "rough-looking" man with his own motorcycle had fixed it at Bingo Truck Stop. Lovely claimed to be afraid of the man. He never contacted his loved ones again. Lovely was carrying about $150 in cash at the time of his disappearance.

Nine days later, campers found Lovely's motorcycle in an isolated area off South Baxter Road in a small draw of dirt road just east of the Sweetwater County Airport in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The keys were in it and it had half a tank of gasoline and was in running condition. An extensive search of the surrounding area turned up no sign of Lovely.

Lovely's sister now lives in New Hampshire, and his aunt in Nevada. Both are still searching for him. His aunt says Lovely was close to his family and she does not believe he vanished of his own accord. His case remains unsolved.

Some agencies say Lovely disappeared from Huntington Beach, California. Both Wyoming and California police departments are investigating his case.