Thresher had dinner with her parents during the evening of May 23, 2000 in her hometown of Bethesda, Maryland. She returned to her residence in Sumner Highlands Apartments in the 4500 block of Sangamore Road later that night. A photo of her residence is posted below this case summary. Thresher spoke to an acquaintance on the telephone at approximately 10:00 p.m. and e-mailed her employer at 12:00 a.m. on May 24. She has never been heard from again.

Thresher was scheduled to begin a new position as a copy editor for The Washington Post's Web site on the day she disappeared. Her family has stated that she was excited about the job and it is very uncharacteristic of her to leave without warning.

Thresher's copper-colored 1997 Volvo station wagon was discovered abandoned on May 25, one day after her disappearance. A photo of the car is posted below this case summary. Thresher's vehicle was parked on the corner of Ridge Drive and Broad Street near the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C & O Canal) in the Glen Echo area, which is several miles from her apartment. There was no sign of her at the scene and an extensive search of the surrounding areas produced no clues as to Thresher's whereabouts. Her wallet and keys were not discovered inside her car and investigators presume that Thresher had the items in her possession when she disappeared.

Authorities initially viewed Thresher's case as a missing person investigation, but reclassified it as a presumed homicide in February 2001. Authorities stated that evidence related to her disappearance had been recovered and pointed towards foul play, but no other details have been publicized.

Investigators released a composite image of an unidentified man spotted near Thresher's apartment complex during March and April 2000. The image is posted below this case summary. The individual has not been named a suspect, but authorities would like to identify him and question him about Thresher's case. He may have spoken to her prior to her disappearance. The man is described as possibly being of Hispanic descent and 48 - 50 years old in 2000. He is 5'4 with black hair and was clean-shaven at the time. The individual may be driving a 1990 four-door white sedan.

Thresher's family elected to declare her legally deceased in February 2001. Her sister took control of Thresher's retirement funds and established a trust for Thresher's children's educations. Thresher's former husband was granted custody of their two children.

A $647.08 check was mysteriously deposited into Thresher's bank account in April 2002. The check had been issued in her name by the Maryland Department Of Human Resources in March 2000. The amount reflected child support collected by agency from Thresher's former husband. The check was deposited in the night depository box of a bank in Alexandria, Virginia. Authorities are investigating any connection the check may have to Thresher's disappearance.

Officials announced that Thresher's case was not related to the recent murders of six women in the Montgomery County, Maryland area in 2002. Her case remains unsolved.

Left: Composite image of the unidentified male;
Center: Sumner Highlands Apartments;
Right: Thresher's car