In December 1981, Debney was leaving her husband to move back to North Carolina, where she was originally from, and told him she would be back for their infant son at a later date.

Debney supposedly left with some new friends.

On July 3, 1982, a fisherman discovered a nude female body floating in the water at Slab Creek Reservoir. The female body was wrapped with a heavy tow chain and it appeared the victim had been badly beaten. 

The remains were listed as a Jane Doe. Two years later, Jane Doe was identified as Debney Lynn Lobanoff.