Day resided on a ranch in the 3900 block of Larait Road in Monte Vista, Colorado. She lived with her boyfriend, Victor Anthony Braun, who is the father of Day's young daughter. She also had a son from a previous relationship.
Day was employed as a server at Dos Rios Restaurante. She was last seen departing from work after her shift on January 9, 2002. Victor told authorities that Day returned to their residence shortly afterwards.
He claimed that she planned to leave the ranch with an unidentified male individual. Victor said that he and Day argued because he was not familiar with the man. Victor told investigators that she departed with the individual and has never been heard from again. Day left all of her personal belongings behind at her home, including her vehicle, keys, wallet, cellular phone and clothing.
Day's father reported her as a missing person on January 12, 2002, three days after she departed from her residence. Her family members stated that it is uncharacteristic of Day to leave her children behind.
Human remains retrieved from a barrel in Arizona's Lyman Lake, near St. Johns, on June 24, 2009 were identified as her after being directed there by her former boyfriend, Victor Braun in return for a plea bargain for manslaughter, when he divulged the location of the barrel and the body of water in which Day's remains were found. Her identity was confirmed by DNA. Victor Braun was sentenced to 12 years.