Zimmerman was last seen on May 26, 1997. Her parents said that she took a soda from the refrigerator and departed their home at approximately 8:30 p.m. She is believed to have attended a party in rural Rantoul, Illinois that night. Authorities received information that she was dropped off near her family's residence at 3:00 a.m. on May 27, but it was not confirmed. Zimmerman has never been heard from again.

Zimmerman left all of her personal belongings at home. Her purse had been stolen prior to her disappearance and she was not carrying any credit cards, cash or identification as a result. She never collected her last paycheck from her place of employment, Casey's General Store, where she worked part time as a clerk. Zimmerman's husband was serving with the United States Marines in Japan in 1997. She resided with her parents in Gifford while he was stationed abroad. Their marriage was troubled at the time, with some reports stating they were divorced or separated. In spite of her marital difficulties, it is uncharacteristic of Zimmerman to leave without warning. An extensive search of the area turned up no sign of her.

Another young woman, Jamie Harper, disappeared from the Rantoul area in 2007. Authorities stated there were similarities between the two cases. They have the same person of interest in both cases; he has not been publicly identified. The disappearances have not been conclusively connected, however.

Authorities stated foul play has not been ruled out in Zimmerman's disappearance. Her case remains unsolved.

Above: Drawing of Zimmerman's tattoo