Smith was last seen on March 10, 2008 in his hometown of Wytheville, Missouri. He completed his work shift at Radio Shack at 8:00 p.m., then went to visit his brother. He also spoke to his mother on the phone that day. He has never been heard from again. On March 14, the police conducted a welfare check on Smith and went to his apartment on east Fulton Street. The apartment was unlocked and he wasn't there. His sport utility vehicle (SUV) was parked next to the apartment building, unlocked, with the keys inside. Smith's television set was turned on inside his apartment, and the game controller was plugged in and lying on the floor. None of his belongings were missing.

Smith had worked at Radio Shack since September 2007 and was considered an ideal employee who never missed work or was late without calling. He left behind a seven-year-old son. Smith and his son's mother never married and had ended their relationship years before. The child lived with her, but Smith visited him most weekends. His cellular phone hasn't been used since his disappearance and all calls are transferred to voice mail.

Authorities stated there's no hard evidence of foul play in Smith's disappearance, but they don't believe he left of his own accord. His mother said he would never have left without warning or abandoned his son, and she fears he came to harm. His case remains unsolved.