Wilson was last seen at her home in the 1600 block of 13th Avenue southeast in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on April 12, 1981. Her boyfriend stated she behaved normally that day, but did not attend church as she usually did. Her boyfriend attended the noon services, then went to Wilson's residence in the afternoon. He and Wilson left within a few minutes of on another at 4:00 p.m. Her boyfriend went to his mother's house and Wilson was supposed to get gas for her car and then go visit a friend she worked with at the Harnischfeger Corporation plant. Wilson never went to see her friend, but her boyfriend says he passed her car about an hour after he left her house. She has never been heard from again. Two days after her disappearance, Wilson's white 1978 Ford Fairmont with license plated numbered DOY 622 was found in the parking lot of a K-Mart store in the 2700 block of 16th Avenue southwest. There was no sign of Wilson at the scene.

Wilson had been divorced for three years by the time of her disappearance. She had bought a car, furniture and a home the previous summer, and is described as a level-headed and reliable individual. It is uncharacteristic of her to leave without warning. Foul play is suspected in her case, but little evidence is available.