Light a candle, requests family of woman missing since 1988

Last update: January 17, 2008 - 12:05 AM

Twenty years ago this week, 19-year-old Susan Swedell of Lake Elmo walked out of a gas station, got into a car with a man and disappeared.

Her family is asking that everyone light a candle on Swedell's behalf and remember not only her, but other missing people as well.

Swedell was last seen on Jan. 19, 1988, at a gas station about a mile from her home.

Employed by Kmart in Oak Park Heights, Swedell frequently received calls at work from a man she called "Dale." On the night she disappeared, she called her mother from work and said she was heading home to watch a movie.

Before leaving work, Swedell put on a short skirt; the day had blizzard-like conditions.

Soon after, she asked a gas station attendant whether she could leave her car at the station because it wasn't working properly. She then got into another car with a man.

In the fall of 2006, police told Susan's mother, Kathy, that activity on her Social Security number had been detected.

Anyone with information about Swedell is asked to contact Missing Children Minnesota (612-334-9449) or the Washington County Sheriff's Office (651-430-7850).

Spotlight on Crime, a fund supported by business and law-enforcement interests, is offering a $25,000 reward in the case.

PAUL WALSH