Barbara Jean Baumann was staying in Cañon City, Colorado, with her husband in the spring of 1982 while the couple grieved the recent death of their infant son. Described as despondent and emotionally unstable, she went for a drive alone near Pikes Peak on May 18, 1982, and did not return. Her husband reported her missing that evening.

Her car was found parked at the base of the 19-mile road up Pikes Peak with her keys and traveler's checks inside, which suggested robbery was not a motive. At least three witnesses reported seeing a woman matching Barbara’s description walking along a mountain road; one person said they gave the distressed woman a lavender blanket and a warm drink. Weather near the summit included bitter cold overnight temperatures and drifting snow.

The trail eventually went cold and Barbara Jean Baumann was never seen again. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office holds the case file.