Laurie Ann Powell Compton, an 18-year-old graduate of Gloucester High School, disappeared on March 8, 1988, following a dispute with her boyfriend, which culminated in her exiting his vehicle. The last sighting of her was at 11:30 p.m., as she walked along the dark and deserted Route 614, heading towards Route 17 in the White Marsh area of Gloucester County. At the time, she was dressed in a purple pullover, a cotton shirt with a white collar, purple and cream-colored pants, and a dungaree jacket.

Although Laurie was not scheduled to work on March 9, her family believed she was staying with a friend. When she failed to report for work on March 10, her stepfather filed a missing person report. 

On April 2, 1988, Laurie's body was discovered floating in the James River near Craney Island, close to Ragged Island. She was found without clothing, showing no signs of binding, and had sustained multiple stab wounds to her back. The death certificate indicated unknown for both the date and location of the injury. At the time of her murder, Compton was employed at the same security company as the mother of Pettinger and Edwards.