madeline ponds

Missing since: November 20, 1986

White female

Hair: Blondish red

Eyes: Green

Height: 5’1’’

Weight: 105 lbs.

Age (at the time of disappearance): 17

Last seen wearing: bright orange and blue sweater, straight-legged jeans, white high top sneakers

Piercing(s): Pierced ears

Scars/Marks: Pencil lead mark/scar at the base of the neck

case details:

Ponds was last seen working on November 20, 1986, at PJ’s One-Stop on Highway 82 South in Columbus, Mississippi. Her mother brought her dinner and went back home. Less than 5 minutes after her mother left the store, a customer came in and found the store unattended.

Approximately $600 was missing from the register. Ponds’ personal items were still inside the store. Her vehicle was found parked outside in the parking lot with all of her personal belongings inside.

Ponds’ mother stated that it was unlike her to leave without notice. Authorities believe that she was taken against her will. Ponds lived just over the Alabama state line at the time of her disappearance. Both Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department in Mississippi and Pickens County Sheriff’s Department in Alabama are investigating Ponds’ disappearance; however, her case remains unsolved at this time.

Investigating Agency Information:

Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department

(662)251-1070

Pickens County Sheriff’s Department

(205)367-2000

ncmec id#: 603354

NamUs ID#: MP2964


Additional Resources:

The Charley Project

The Dispatch (December 17, 2020)

Mississippi Missing and Unidentified Persons

InJustice Magazine (March 29, 2021)

age progressed photo from ncmec