Madden was last seen in Lorain, Ohio on August 8, 1975. Her live-boyfriend, Nathan F. Wisely, stated they had been fighting for about two weeks when he last saw her at midnight on August 8. At 3:00 a.m. on August 9, he discovered she was gone. She didn't take her purse, money or any extra clothing or other belongings. At the time, authorities believed she left of her own accord.

When Wisely reported Madden missing, he said her name was Dorothy Wisely and she was his wife. They weren't legally married, but they presented themselves as if they were. She had a young son from her prior relationship, whom she left behind.

Madden's family stated Wisely was violent and mentally ill and was confined to an institution sometime after 1975, but it is unclear whether he was involved in her case. Madden was born and raised in Massachusetts; she moved to Ohio with Wisely the same year she went missing. Her loved ones stated she has a passive personality and is a follower rather than a leader. Her case remains unsolved.