Freeman was last seen in the Pizza Hut parking lot on September 10, 1993, around 1:00 a.m. in Petal, Mississippi. She was seen speaking to her ex-boyfriend. Freeman's silver 1984 Honda hatchback was discovered later that morning around 6:40 a.m. on the Old Mahned Bridge in Perry County, Mississippi. There was a puddle near the vehicle that law enforcement officials believed at the time to be transmission fluid; however, subsequent DNA testing proved the puddle to be blood belonging to Freeman. There was also blood evidence found inside Freeman's car. Several days later, tracking dogs were brought to the area Freeman's car was found. One of her Keds sneakers was found in some tall grass in the immediate area. The other shoe was found on the other side of a locked gate that led to a private camp. Authorities searched the Leaf River, which was the body of water the Old Mahned Bridge covered, but no sign of Freeman was found.