China Videon

Suzanne Videon believes someone holds information that could lead to solving the 1999 disappearance of her 16-year-old daughter, China.

The daughter, a Riverdale High School junior, visited with her mother the night of Oct. 19, 1999, at a beauty salon in Jackson Heights Plaza before leaving to see a friend. Suzanne Videon hasn’t seen her since. China Videon’s car was found abandoned June 23, 2000, at an apartment complex off Harding Road in Antioch.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s detectives have tracked leads for 13 years.

Even though China Videon was legally declared dead in October 2007, Suzanne Videon hasn’t given up hope that her daughter’s disappearance will be solved. She also believes people have information about her daughter’s case.

“How could anybody who knew something sleep at night?” Suzanne Videon said. “If they have kids, how would they feel it if was their kid?”

Detective Sgt. Dan Goodwin of the Cold Case Unit, a division of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, began investigating China Videon’s disappearance five years ago.

“We believe China was abducted, killed and disposed of by someone who knew her well,” Goodwin said. “The case is more difficult because her remains have never been found.”

China Videon worked at Bi-Lo grocery store on South Rutherford Boulevard near Southeast Broad Street in Murfreesboro.

Goodwin is asking for her co-workers or friends who may heard any information to call the Criminal Investigations Division at 615-904-3038.

“We’re hoping after 13 years that folks who were teenagers then and know about things in her life will come forward,” Goodwin said. “They should be in their 30s now and may have children. They may reflect on that and come forward with any information that they have.”

Some people who have information may not have contacted the Sheriff’s Office at the time of China Videon’s disappearance because they felt their information might be hearsay.

“If you heard something or were told things, we want to hear from you,” Goodwin said. “If you heard from the person who did something with China, we want to hear about it.”

Suzanne Videon said she is hoping people with information will contact Goodwin.

“It might not be significant to them, but it could be significant,” Suzanne Videon said.