Tami Faye Kowalchuk was last seen getting into a small white car outside her family's home in Tacoma, Washington on December 26, 1999. She had called her mother later that evening to ask if she could come home and get some extra clothes so she could join a truck driver named "Tony" on one of his long hauls. Her mother told her to come home as she had a court-ordered curfew of 10:00 PM. Tami never arrived home and has never been heard from again.

Tami had a troubled childhood and had been diagnosed with ADHD and other behavioral problems. She had a history of substance abuse and prostitution. Despite her family not reporting her missing until 2004, it is possible that Tami ran away but foul play cannot be ruled out.