Pierce was traveling aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Enchantment Of The Seas, in late October 2000. The ship was approximately 140 miles outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 29, 2000. It was returning to Port Everglades, Florida after stopping in Key West, Mexico, the Cayman Islands and in Jamaica.

A crew member said that Pierce was last seen in one of the ship's hallways at approximately 1:00 a.m. that morning, the last day of her voyage. She has never been heard from again. Pierce's possessions were found unpacked by the cabin steward after the other nearly 2000 guests disembarked, and she was reported missing at that time. The Coast Guard searched the water and local law enforcement searched the ship but found no trace of her. Pierce and a traveling companion on board the ship may have had a dispute shortly before her disappearance, but this is unconfirmed. Pierce's case remains unsolved.

The Federal Bureau Of Investigation's North Miami Beach, Florida office is handling Pierce's investigation.