Smith was last seen at his home in the Oakland Park area of south Columbus, Georgia at 9:00 a.m. on April 10, 1996. He told his wife he was going into the backyard to plant zinnias and would be back in a few minutes. He has never been heard from again. He left his wallet behind on the kitchen table.

Smith is a retired colonel and at the time of his disappearance, he and his wife were planning to embark on a cruise with the local Retired Officers Association. Both were in good physical and mental health at the time of his disappearance. Smith's case remains unsolved.