Michelle was last seen at her residence in the vicinity of the 3900 block of Ozark View Road in Ivy Bend, Missouri on October 25, 2003. Her husband of three years, Michael Shane Yarnell, says he came home after work and Michelle was gone. He said he assumed she had gone to Holts Summit, Missouri to visit her mother, Marianne Asher-Chapman, and would return in a few days, but she never did and has never been heard from again. Asher-Chapman reported her missing seven days later after Michael came to her house to see his wife and discovered that she had never arrived at Holts Summit.

Two weeks after Michelle vanished, Asher-Chapman received a postcard supposedly from her, which was postmarked on November 8, 2003, from a small town in Arkansas. The postcard stated that Michelle was en route to Texas to visit the family of someone named "Gary." Michelle's loved ones do not know anyone by that name and do not believe she did either, and Asher-Chapman does not believe Michelle actually sent the postcard. She stated that the handwriting appeared markedly different from her daughter's. Asher-Chapman had last had contact with her when they spoke on the telephone eight days before Michelle went missing. She stated their conversation was normal and Michelle did not mention that she was seeing another man.

In November 2007, Michael was named a person of interest in Michelle's disappearance. By then he had moved and authorities had lost touch with him. They have made an appeal for anyone who knows his whereabouts, because he is wanted for questioning. A photograph of Michael is posted below this case summary. He has relatives in the Kansas City, Missouri and California, Missouri areas. In May 2008, Michael was officially listed as missing, as his family and friends claimed they have not heard from him since November 5, 2005.

Michelle left all her personal belongings behind when she vanished, as well as two dogs which she had cherished. Her marriage was troubled, but Michelle was close to her mother and her relatives do not believe she would leave without contacting them, as she has no history of such behavior. At the time Michelle disappeared, Asher-Chapman was being treated for cancer, and she does not believe her daughter would have abandoned her when she was ill. Michelle's case remains unsolved.

Above: Michael Yarnell