Cherrie disappeared after getting off her school bus along rural Cornplanter Road in Winfield Township, Butler County, PA.  A blue-green van with a mountain and skier painted on the side was seen in the area at the time.  Cherrie was declared legally dead in 1998.

She lived with her mother and stepfather.  Her biological father was not a part of her life.  

Her house was just fifty yards from the school bus stop.  

The mother of one of Cherrie's friends was waiting to pick up some other children at the bus stop and saw Cherrie get off the bus and walk past her vehicle before she drove off.  The children who were on the bus had noticed that the blue van (1976 Dodge) had been following the bus that day. It parked on a corner when Cherrie was getting off the bus.  She had to turn at that corner and then walk up a hill to her house. Both of the parents were waiting for her at the top of the hill.  

Witnesses claimed that there was also a blue car following the van that day.  The only piece of evidence was tire marks left in the snow at the bottom of the hill.  Witnesses believed the van was painted black shortly after Cherrie went missing.