Madeline was last seen working alone at her job at PJ's One-Stop, a convenience store on southbound Highway 82 in Columbus, Mississippi on November 20, 1986. Her mother brought her some dinner, then returned to their residence. Less than five minutes later, a customer discovered that the store was unattended and contacted authorities.

Approximately $600 was missing from the cash register. Madeline's personal belongings were still inside the business and her car was parked in the store's lot with her purse, wallet, keys and hairbrush. She has never been heard from again. Madeline's mother says it is uncharacteristic of her to leave without taking her hairbrush or telling someone where she was going. She believes Madeline was abducted and says her daughter would not have gone without a fight.

Madeline was a high school senior at the time of her disappearance and planned to join the armed forces after graduation. Mississippi and Alabama police are investigating her case, which remains unsolved.