Teresa Davidson - who had divorced her husband Steve Colpitts and had moved to Covington, Washington after stints in Florida and Northern California - marries Richard Murphy. Teresa has two children, Jessica and Justin, from her previous relationship.

Teresa and Jessica follow Richard to Ranier, OR, leaving behind her own house and job so that Richard can be closer to his relatives. Justin moves in with his dad in Klamath Falls, Oregon. It is reported that Teresa regretted the move and leaving a job she loved.

Murphy Home

Teresa takes Jessica to Richard's cousin's house, so that his daughter and Jessica can go to Washington to play volleyball. Teresa tells Jessica that she will be back Sunday, October 10, to pick her up.

Richard claims he went on a camping trip to Browns Creek in the Olympic National Forest in Mason County, Washington. Teresa has plans to meet up with her step-brother, Chris Riesch, that same weekend to talk about what was going on in her life, but she never shows up. Chris is later given and passes a polygraph regarding her disappearance.

Murphy Home

Jessica later said that her mother did not really sound like herself, but that she really didn’t think too much of it at the time.

When her mother doesn't show up, Jessica stays with a friend. She phones Richard repeatedly but he does not answer for days.

The gun is a 1991 Colt 1911 A1 .45 caliber, with serial number 2757178. Richard reports it missing a few days after Teresa disappears.

Nearly a week has passed since Jessica started calling the house. Richard explains that he has been camping. He agrees to pick her up and when he arrives, Jessica notices that his usually dirty pest control van is spotless, with nothing inside except for a green raincoat. He claims to have no idea of Teresa's whereabouts and tells Jessica that her mother was into drugs and would not be back. When they get back to the house, Jessica notices her mom’s truck in the driveway and observes that all the camping gear is still in the storage shed. Shortly thereafter, Richard contacts Jessica's dad and asks him to pick up his daughter. She moves in with her father and brother in Klamath Falls.

Teresa did not take any personal belongings. Her pick-up truck is still at her home with the keys in the ignition. Teresa's family was under the impression that Richard had reported her missing, but when they discover he had not, her sister-in-law contacts authorities to file a report.

Only one month after his wife goes missing, Richard begins dating another woman. He puts Teresa's belongings in storage, but they are auctioned off for non-payment. He had refused earlier attempts by Jessica to retrieve the items.

$1,000 is offered for information about Teresa's case.