UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Jane Bui, a mother of two, turned 60-years-old this past week.
Her family wishes they could have celebrated with her, but instead, they are left wondering where she is and what happened to her.
What You Need To Know
Jane Bui has been missing since mid-October, 1997
Last known leaving to run an errand, Bui's family has not heard from nor seen her again
CMPD says the case is still active and investigators are still looking for tips
Bui went missing in mid-October in 1997, according to the Community United Effort, a nonprofit which helps advocate for missing persons cases.
Last seen near Albermarle Road, Bui went to run an errand and never was heard from nor seen again, according to CUE and Bui’s daughter, Janette Bui.
Authorities located her car months later in Catawba County in June of 1998 when they found an acquaintance driving it, according to CUE.
In a brief email, a CMPD spokesman said, “The report number for the case you have inquired about is 19980327-1113-01. The case is still being actively investigated. Anyone with information about this case is asked to provide that information by calling 9-1-1. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.”
However, CMPD has few leads or updates in the case, according to the Bui family.
This week, to mark Jane’s 60th birthday on July 6, family and friends gathered in a Union County baptist church parking lot to bring attention to the case and wish a happy birthday to a mom who’s been missing for nearly 24 years.
Forensic artist Diana Trepkov did an age progression sketch of Bui, which the family unveiled.
“We’re here to also try to bring her case back to light to get some answers,” Janette Bui told the gathered crowd.
For a daughter missing her mom, the last 23 years have been spent in pain and constant thought.
“Just wondering where she is, wondering why she’s not here with us, all the things that she’s taught me, things that we’ve been through. I really just miss that,” Janette Bui said at the candlelight vigil.
Since the day Bui disappeared, Janette Bui said she has never heard from her in any form, whether it be phone calls, emails or letters.
“I remember her coming over to my house, she had a chore she wanted me to go help her with, and in that immediate moment I was not able to go with her. And, that was the last time I’ve seen or heard from her,” Janette Bui explained.
She added it’s agonizing every day not knowing what happened to her mother.
This week, as they marked Bui’s 60th birthday, the family is hoping renewed attention on the case yields a breakthrough.
Described as a sweet woman who would give you the shirt off her back, Janette Bui said her mother also enjoyed teaching her how to cook.
“I can remember when I was five years old, standing in the kitchen with her, stirring a pot of spaghetti. That was the first thing she taught me how to cook,” Janette Bui said in front of her close family and friends.
But even after 23 years, the pain is still fresh with each day.
“It’s just like the first day still,” Janette Bui added.
At the vigil, they revealed a new composite sketch hoping to show the age progression of what Bui would look like at age 60.
For those in the crowd, the sketch reflected a grandmother who has not met her grandchildren, and a mom with two kids still looking for any answers.
“It would mean a lot. It would fill that void in my heart, to know what happened, good or bad. You know, at least we would know where she is,” Janette Bui told gathered press after the vigil.
To end their birthday vigil, they lit candles, prayed and released blue balloons.
Like the balloons they released into the warm Union County summer evening, they hope answers float in soon to relieve a family in pain.