Ann Gotlib disappeared on June 1, 1983 from Louisville, Kentucky's Bashford Manor Mall. 12-year-old Gotlib vanished from the mall between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Her bicycle was later found abandoned on the mall's grounds. Authorities believe that she was abducted by a non-family member and have had between 30-40 suspects in the past.

More than 25 years after Gotlib's disappearance, Louisville Metro Police announced on December 4, 2008, that they believe she was abducted by the now-deceased Gregory Oakley Jr., who had a history of attacking young girls and allegedly confessed of the abduction to a fellow prison mate.

On December 4, 2008, Louisville Metro Police announced that they had accumulated enough evidence to conclude that Ann Gotlib was likely abducted by Gregory Oakley Jr., a now deceased criminal with a history of attacking young girls. Both Oakley's former girlfriend and roommate have pointed the finger and Oakley for Gotlib's disappearance. A former cellmate told police that Oakley had confessed to him for abducting the girl and murdering her with an overdose of the drug Talwin. Oakley had even failed a polygraph test given to him as part of the investigation. At the time of Gotlib's disappearance, Oakley was a veterinarian in the Louisville area. Because of Oakley being deceased, there are no plans of indictment.