The investigation into her disappearance took an unexpected turn when it was discovered that Birgfeld was living a double life as an escort in a secret business called Models Inc., under the alias "Carrie".

[1] Her remains were discovered on March 6, 2012, in the Route 50 area of Wells Gulch in Delta County,[3][4] approximately 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Grand Junction.

[9] The disappearance and murder of Birgfeld attracted national attention and become subject of extensive media coverage.

Birgfeld worked different jobs after her second divorce,[22] including her pre-school dance business and sold high-end kitchen supplies for a company called Pampered Chef.

Later, Birgfeld's 8-year-old daughter, Jess, went to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office to report her mother missing after she did not return home.

[18] On July 1, around 10 p.m., a 911 call reported what was later identified as Birgfeld's red Ford Focus in flames in an empty parking lot two miles from her house.

[12] The Mesa County Sheriff's Office and the Grand Junction community launched a "massive" search to find Birgfeld.

[27] Mesa County Sheriff's Office had several suspects, including Birgfeld's ex-husbands, especially Dixon, but both had alibis.

[29] Jones has a previous criminal record, including a five-year prison sentence for first-degree assault and second-degree attempted kidnapping of his ex-wife.

[30][6][7] Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Rubenstein said that both he and the police were certain Jones was responsible for Birgfeld's disappearance, but it was difficult to arrest him without her body.

[3] On March 6, 2012, at 12:30 pm, hikers found skeletal remains in the Route 50 area of Wells Gulch in Delta County,[4][31] approximately 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Grand Junction.

[1][31] Rubenstein said, "There were some very key evidentiary things that we located, specifically there was duct tape that was around her skull and mandible, that indicates that she was kidnapped".

[33][28] In the second trial, on December 27, 2016, the jury found Jones guilty of all charges and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.