Tighe resided with her boyfriend, Michael D. Klingsieck, in 1998. The couple lived in the 7430 block of Vineyard Road in St. George, Kansas. Klingsieck told authorities that he drove Tighe to her sister's residence on November 24, 1998. He claimed that he last saw Tighe near the intersection of McCall Road and US Route 24 in Manhattan, Kansas on November 24, 1998. She has never been heard from again.

Tighe's family members reported her as a missing person on December 10, 1998, three weeks after her disappearance. Investigators said that Klingsieck's statements regarding Tighe's case were inconsistent. He took a polygraph in connection to her disappearance and is not considered a suspect. The couple's home was searched by authorities shortly afterwards. Evidence was reportedly collected at their residence, but officials did not release any information publicly. Foul play is suspected in Tighe's case. In 1999 a $5,000 reward was offered for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Tighe's disappearance, but no arrests have been made in connection with her case.