Heather Elvis was a native of Horry County and she was a graduate of St. James High School in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. After her graduation in the year 2011, Heather moved into an apartment in Carolina Forest. She shared this apartment with her best friend and coworker, Brianna Warrelmann. Heather was making a living by waitressing at the Tilter Kilt in Myrtle Beach and The House of Blue's in North Myrtle Beach. During her time as a waitress, she was pursuing her studies in cosmetology. According to Heather's father, her cosmetology license "was her way of giving back, and making others feel good about themselves". Heather was leading a seemingly ordinary life up until the night of her disappearance on December 17, 2013.