Heartbreaking Saga of the Disappeared Kids Showcased in Soul Asylum's 'Runaway Train' Music Video
Soul Asylum's iconic music video for "Runaway Train" made a significant impact when it debuted on MTV in May 1993. The video, directed by Tony Kaye, featured the photos of 36 missing children across America.
Director Tony Kaye claimed that the video was instrumental in the rescue of 21 to 26 of the 36 children featured. However, the role of the video in "rescuing" these children remains debated, especially since some of them had been fleeing toxic or abusive situations in the first place.
One of the first children to be found after seeing herself in the video was Elizabeth Wiles, now known as Liz Vatovec, who is now a successful real estate broker and licensed contractor. Some of the missing children were found miraculously after the video debuted.
Unfortunately, not all stories ended happily. Guitarist Dan Murphy recounted one girl shown in the video who was killed by her mother, and another who was forced from her home after being recognized.
The video also featured two girls, Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol, who disappeared in the UK in 1991. Their remains were discovered in 2007, with Peter Tobin convicted of their murders. Another UK feature, Mark Bartley, disappeared in 1992. A witness recognized him via the video, but by the time police arrived, he was gone, and his fate remains unknown.
Eleven children featured in the videos remain missing today, including Heather Yagle, who was fleeing a horrific situation at home when she was featured in the video. Some speculation remains about these missing children, and it's unclear whether these mysterious cases will ever be solved.
The legacy of Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train" music video has been bolstered by true crime obsessives, television culture, and the popularity of music videos. The song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album Grave Dancers Union became a multiplatinum success due to "Runaway Train".
Chelsea Clinton helped convince Soul Asylum to play outside the White House on Sept. 14, 1993. MTV often added a final call-to-action asking viewers to call a number if they had seen one of the missing children or were one of them.
While the video succeeded in locating many missing children, some cases it highlighted remain tragic or unresolved. However, the video is credited with raising awareness and aiding in some recoveries, making it a significant cultural effort in missing persons advocacy.
- The unsolved mysteries of the 11 children still missing, including Heather Yagle who was fleeing a horrific situation, continue to spur speculation and remain unresolved.
- Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train" music video has been a significant contribution to the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, most notably in raising awareness about missing persons.
- The "Runaway Train" video, bolstered by true crime obsessives and music enthusiasts alike, contributed to the popularity of music videos and the success of Soul Asylum's album Grave Dancers Union.
- Some tragic stories emerged from the video, like the girl shown who was killed by her mother and another who was forced from her home after being recognized, underscoring the complexities and unsolved mysteries surrounding the culture of missing children.
