Viola was last seen leaving the Glenwood, Illinois residence of her adult daughter, Angela Martin, on the morning of December 26, 2009. She said she was going to visit her other daughter, Latrina, who had just been released from the hospital and lived only about fifteen ot twenty minutes away. She never arrived. Viola's family reported her missing on December 29 after their own search efforts were without success. On December 30 the police found her tan 1999 Chrysler Cirrus abandoned, parked illegally on a street in Dixmoor, Illinois, far from Latrina's home. There was no sign of Viola at the scene.

Viola's disappearance received additional media attention because Angela is a professional singer who, in December 2009, was competing for the third time to be a finalist on the popular television talent show, American Idol. A photo of Angela is posted below this case summary. She was later cut from the competition. The family had endured several tragedies in recent years; Angela's father was murdered by his girlfriend in 2007, her daughter is disabled and one of their cousins had died shortly before Viola's disappearance.

Viola worked at a local medical facility in 2009. She never picked up her last paycheck. Since her disappearance there have been several reported sightings of her in the Chicago area, but none of them have been confirmed. Angela believes she may have relapsed and begun abusing drugs and alcohol again. Her case remains unsolved.

Above: Angela Martin in 2010