I thought this would make an interesting discussion.

-Fastball's "The Way" was a number one alternative hit in 1998. The song is loosely based on an elderly couple -- Lela and Raymond Howard -- that intended to drive to a music festival 15 minutes away in the Dallas, TX area. He was recovering from brain surgery and had poor eyesight, she had Alzheimer's and could not read. Their bodies were found in the car at the bottom of a ravine roughly 500 miles away in Hot Springs, AR several weeks later. Their son had begged them not to go due to their conditions, but they were undeterred. I really have to wonder how they could travel 500 miles, even given their state. I know men have a reputation for not pulling over and asking for directions, but sheesh.

-Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train" reached number 3 on the alternative charts in 1993. The music video contained many missing people, including Thomas Gibson, who was profiled at the end of the segment. Here are others:

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/b/benoit_wilda.html
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/p/page_byron.html
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/h/hudson_ginger.html (music video has her middle name as "Sue")
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/k/kerze_christopher.html
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/d/dunn_martha.html

Also, Christina Ann Wood, Michelle Anne Farley and Emily Tamara Pois. I have no information on them currently, but perhaps I can do some research later.

And who could forget the new wave band Missing Persons from the early 80's, who had hits such as "Words", "Destination Unknown" and "Walking in L.A.", about the dangers of walking in Los Angeles.