On the evening of February 23, 1999, Ms. Star Hurtie was a patron of Uncle Mike's Bar at 49th and Metropolitan in Kansas City, Kansas. Witnesses say she was involved in a violent altercation with a man believed to be a lifelong criminal with a history of violent behavior, particularly toward women. At one point during the evening, Ms. Hurtie allegedly was knocked to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness and she has not been seen or heard from since that date.