On November 14, 1989, Jennifer was babysitting her siblings in their Brockton, Massachusetts, home, and chose to go out with friends afterwards. She returned to her house between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. to get a sweater and asked her cousin to watch the kids while she attended a party on Emerson Avenue. 

Jennifer first tried to see a female friend who lived close to her house, but the friend wasn't there and the girl's mother wouldn't let her in. According to the friend's mother, she smelled like alcohol and appeared to be a slightly tips. Jennifer and an older male teenage friend left the house together. They then reportedly walked less than a minute to the neighborhood convenience shop at the end of Jennifer's block. Jennifer entered the store, but her friend decided to leave since he wasn't feeling well. Jennifer was reported missing the following morning when she didn't return home. She has not been seen or heard from since.