Family and friends came together to remember a Murfreesboro teenager who disappeared 16 years ago.
On a rainy night, they huddled in a pavilion in Barfield Crescent Park in Mufreesboro for a candlelight vigil in honor of China Videon.
The event was organized by two of Videon’s friends on what would have been her 33rd birthday.
“It doesn’t feel like 16 years,” said Dixie Ashworth, one of Videon’s friends, and one of the organizers of the vigil. “I’m just glad hopefully, sooner or later, we will have closure.”
People in attendance lit candles and prayed. Photos of Videon were also displayed on a table.
“I am very appreciative and grateful there are so many people who remembered her and turned out,” said Suzanne Videon, China’s mother. “My hope is it will be solved and justice will be served.
China Videon was last seen at her mother’s beauty salon on Oct. 19, 1999. She told her mother she was going to get gas and then would be home. She was never seen or heard from again.
Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold attended the vigil. He described the case as “active” and said the investigation continues. He also said he believes “an arrest is imminent.” He said throughout the process deputies have been in constant contact with Videon’s family.
“It’s all about communication and staying in touch and letting them know we are doing things, and we do care,” said Sheriff Arnold. “We aren’t just shutting the file and moving on to something else.”
Videon’s friends said they hope the vigil helped put the case in the spotlight again. They said they would continue to hold events in Videon’s honor.
“We’ll do this every so many years if we have to,” said Angela Mathews, one of Videon’s friends who helped organize the vigil. “We just don’t want people to forget.”
Sheriff Arnold said tips are extremely helpful in these types of cases. He encouraged anyone with information on Videon’s disappearance to call the Sheriff’s Office at (615) 904-3046.
