Shields was last seen at her grandparents' home in the 1300 block of Pearl Street, near Indiana Street, in Graham, Texas at 9:30 p.m. on December 10, 2011. At 12:38 a.m. someone accessed her Facebook page, and her cellular phone was used to make a call from the residence at 2:30 a.m. She has never been heard from again and her phone was left behind at her grandparents' house, along with her wallet, identification, purse, clothing and other personal belongings. She also left a one-year-old son.

Shields has no history of mental illness or substance abuse problems. She didn't own a car or have any other mode of transportation. She was due to start a job the day after she was last seen. Authorities could find no signs of forced entry to her grandparents' home, but the back door was left unlocked. The neighbors heard nothing suspicious that night, and the family's two dogs didn't bark. Her family reported her missing on December 15.

In February 2013, within a few days of each other, Jeremy Paul Thornburg and Lajuana Shunta Long were arrested and charged with Shields's murder. Photos of both Long and Thornburg is posted below this case summary. Authorities stated Thornburg had been a person of interest since the onset of the investigation. He had dated both Shields and Long. Long allegedly threatened Shields, and Thornburg was one of the last people to see Shields before she vanished. The two suspects are awaiting trial. Shields's body hasn't been recovered, but foul play is suspected in her case due to the circumstances involved.

Left: Jeremy Thornburg;
Right: Lajuana Long