Manns was last seen in Floyd County, Kentucky on March 16, 1990. He was supposedly en route to McDowell Hospital, but never arrived there and has never been heard from again.

There was speculation that Harry Eugene Hale was connected to Manns's disappearance. Hale was convicted of credit card fraud in 1993 after he used a card belonging to Christoph Zahn, who disappeared from Georgia in 1992. Hale had a reputation for stalking bus stations and highways searching for young male transients. He is suspected of drugging and sexually assaulting young men in several states. Some of Zahns' belongings were found in Hale's mother's home. He has not been charged in connection with Zahn or Manns's disappearances, however.

Foul play is suspected in Manns's case. It remains unsolved.