14 replies to this topic

[Denise]

Print a poster: http://www.projectja...aBryanSmith.pdf




                         Age Progression sketch to approx age 26/27    

Name: Joshua Bryan Smith

Classification: Endangered Missing Adult
Alias / Nickname: Josh
Date of Birth: 1977-11-04
Date Missing: 2000-11-04
From City/State: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Age at Time of Disappearance: 23
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 70 inches
Weight: 150 pounds
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown

Clothing: Brown or dark colored T-shirt, brown shorts.

Investigative Agency: St. John's Sheriff's Office at 904-669-4987.

Circumstances of Disappearance: Unknown. Joshua left work early that day and parked his vehicle on Ponte Vedra Blvd. in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. His vehicle was later located and his shoes were found on the beach. Although there have been extensive searches conducted by law enforcement, his whereabouts remain unknown.

[Denise]

From 11/2000:

Missing man's shoes found on beach

Sheriff's Office deputies are trying to find the whereabouts of a 23-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach man who was reported missing after his shoes were found on the beach.

Reports said relatives reported Joshua Bryan Smith missing after he failed to return to his Greencrest Drive home after work Saturday night.

Smith's father found Smith's 1994 Ford Ranger in the parking lot of the Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club Sunday morning, as well as his shoes on the beach in front of the club.

Deputies, bloodhounds and the Sheriff's Office helicopter and public service assistants on ATVs searched the beach during the day Sunday. Smith was last seen wearing brown swimming trunks and a black T-shirt.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Smith or who has come in contact with him should call Sheriff's Office Detective Randy McCullough or Sgt. Clarence Smith at 824-8304.


Ponte Vedra Beach man still missing

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office continues to search for a 23-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach man who has been missing for over a week, deputies said.

Relatives reported Joshua Bryan Smith missing after he failed to return to his Greencrest Drive home after work on Nov. 4.

Smith's 1994 Ford Ranger was found in the parking lot of the Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club the next day, his shoes found on the beach behind the club. He was last seen wearing brown swimming trunks and a black T-shirt.

Deputies, bloodhounds, the Sheriff's Office helicopter and public service assistants on ATVs have been searching the area since last Sunday.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Smith or having come into contact with him should call Detective L. Bentley or Sgt. C. Smith at the Sheriff's Office: 824-8304.

[Denise]

From 3/9/01:

Reward offered in case of PVB man missing since Nov. 6


A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Joshua Bryan Smith, a 23-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach man reported missing Nov. 6 last year, the Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.

Smith's family reported him missing when he didn't re-turn to his Greencrest Drive home after work Saturday, Nov. 4.

Smith's 1994 Ford Ranger was found by his father in the parking lot of Ponte Vedra Beach Lodge and Club. Smith's shoes were found on the beach in front of the club.

Deputies and bloodhounds, along with the Sheriff's Office helicopter and public service assistants, searched the beach.

Smith is white, 5-foot, 10-inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing brown swimming trunks and a black t-shirt.

Anyone with knowledge of Smith's whereabouts can call the Sheriff's Office at (904) 824-8304, or remain anonymous by calling the Crime Information Hotline at (904) 824-9099.


FRom 7/22/02:

Ponte Vedra Beach: Search continues for man who disappeared in November 2000

By SUSAN D. BRANDENBURG
Ponte Vedra Beach 543-0730


After graduating from Nease High School in 1996, Joshua Smith of Ponte Vedra Beach attended Flagler College in St. Augustine for 2 1/2 years. Named most valuable player in soccer his senior year at Nease (as well as "funniest senior"), Joshua was a starter on Flagler's freshman soccer team, pursuing a degree in sports management. For the first year, he lived at Flagler's dorm. Later, he shared an apartment on Anastasia Island with his buddy and fellow Nease graduate, Jeremy Wahl.

"Josh and Jeremy would come home some weekends and cook Chinese stir-fry for us," remembers Joshua's mom, Vicki Smith. "On those rare occasions when their apartment was clean, they used to invite me to St. Augustine for lunch." When Joshua decided to switch his major to coaching and transfer to FCCJ in the spring of 2000, he moved back home to Marsh Landing to live with his parents. Approximately six months after leaving Flagler College, Joshua Smith disappeared. He was last seen on Nov. 4, 2000, the day he turned 23 years old.

Joshua spent his birthday in close companionship with his dad, Ed, working out together at the Ponte Vedra Lodge and Club in the morning and going to a movie and dinner at Tinsel Town on the Southside in late afternoon. The last person in the family to see Joshua was his younger brother, Eric, who stopped by Lulu's Restaurant on Roscoe Road where Joshua was working that night.

"Eric remembers giving Josh a big birthday hug and $60 to buy some CDs," says Vicki Smith. "They weren't afraid to tell each other 'I love you.' They were as close as brothers can be. In fact, Joshua was a person who treasured his home, his family and his friends above all else. That's why I know in my heart that he did not intentionally leave us."

At 5 a.m. on Nov. 5, 2000, Ed Smith found Joshua's 1994 Ford Ranger Truck parked in front of the Lodge. Joshua's Tommy Hilfiger tennis shoes were found in the sand about 20 feet behind the Lodge. Dogs from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office tracked him about a half-mile south on the beach and then lost his scent. "The obvious conclusion is that he drowned," says Vicki, "but the authorities told us that some evidence would have washed ashore, even if sharks got him." The distraught mother spent every night walking the beach until dawn for two weeks following Joshua's disappearance. "Beth Connor [Jeremy Wahl's mother] and Linda Donovan [mother of Nease graduate, Jimmy Donovan] helped us through those first awful days," gratefully recalls Vicki. "They distributed posters and drove continually up and down the beach from here to St. Augustine, but eventually, as weeks turned into months, everyone got back to their normal routines. Everyone, that is, but us."

For the Smiths, nearly two years after their son disappeared without a trace, there is no such thing as a normal routine anymore. Convinced that their son did not drown and did not disappear of his own volition, the Smiths remember a college friend of Ed's who suffered from amnesia.

They picture Joshua sitting dazed and helpless in some homeless shelter. They visit shelters relentlessly, looking into the eyes of each young man. "We've discovered that the homeless are also faceless to the general population," says Vicki. "It's as if they are invisible and untouchable. Through this tragedy, we've come to realize that every one of them is a human being who deserves to be recognized - just like our Josh." Relying on their deep faith in God, the Smiths pray daily that one of the faces will belong to Josh; that someone will remember something about the night Joshua disappeared; that there will be an end to this nightmare. Vicki searches the Internet constantly. She and Ed have become active members of a support group called Families of Missing Loved Ones, founded by Jacksonville Southsider Linda Rice when her 29-year old daughter, Tina McQuaig, disappeared in March of 2000. "Like the rest of us who have missing loved ones, the Smiths have left no stone unturned in their search for Joshua," says Rice. "We can never give up hope as long as there is some chance our children can be found." Vicki has heard comments from people who suggest that she is obsessed. "They feel that Josh drowned and that's too bad, but I need to just get over it and get on with life," says Vicki. "But what if he didn't drown? What if he's still out there somewhere? What if he was your son? Would you stop searching?"

This week, students at Flagler College and citizens of St. Augustine may run into an attractive lady with long, greying hair and searching, haunted eyes walking from store to store and building to building with posters in hand. She is looking for her beloved son, Joshua Smith, and she won't give up. Would you?

[Denise]

http://www.fox30onli....3-DD890C12CEA7

Moms remember missing sons

Last Update: 6/15/2006 8:33:05 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There are few prouder moments for mothers than when they get to talk about their children. But when you ask Vicki Smith about her son, Joshua, you'll get this answer instead:

"Joshua left on Nov. 4, 2000, we think around 9 p.m., behind a lodge in Ponte Vedra," she says.

Smith was 23 years old when he went missing on the beach. His truck was found, as was his wallet, but the keys to his vehicle were gone. There has never been a trace of him since.

Margaret Rowan can tell you a similar story about her son, John. John Rowan went missing in February of 2001. He was an Irish businessman in Jacksonville who disappeared early in the morning. His car was later located, but there has never been a sign of John.

"John was the hero," his mother says. "And you can call him 'the king of the palace.' He was our bread-winner."

On Friday at 1:30 p.m. outside of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Smith and Rowan will ask the community to keep their sons' stories alive. They will be joined by Community United Effort (CUE) Centers for Missing Persons. CUE is a traveling group of volunteers from North Carolina whose goal is to keep the stories of missing people publicized across the country.

Their third-annual tour will include a trip to Jacksonville, during which they will focus on the stories of Smith and Rowan, as well as the disappearances of Mark Degner, Bryan Hayes, Yvonne Belcher and Jackie Markham.

Both Smith and Rowan admit that their struggles are particularly hard because they can not find closure until they know exactly what happened to their sons.

"I think it's vitally important for every family to know if their child's alive or their child's died," Vicki says. "And the word closure simply means an answer to me."

"We all know somebody, somewhere knows exactly where our loved ones are and what happened to them," adds Margaret.

If you have any information about John Rowan's disappearance, please call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500..

If you have any information about Joshua Smith's disappearance, please call the St. John's County Sheriff's Office at 904-824-8304.

For more information on the Community United Effort (CUE), log on to www.ncmissingpersons.org. You can also email them at cuecenter@aol.com.

[Kelly]

Find Austin Davis Rally  (Davis Family Press Release)
1 p.m.
Church of Argyle, 6823 Argyle Forest Blvd, Jacksonville

After Possible Sightings, Family Intensifies Search For Missing Jacksonville Man
Plans Rally to Organize More Search Parties

Jacksonville, Fla. The family of a missing Jacksonville man is holding a rally this weekend to intensify their search for the 26-year-old who disappeared without a trace more than a month ago.

After receiving several reports of a man matching the description of Michael “Austin" Davis, who was last seen June 26 on the city's west side, family and relatives said they hope the rally, planned for this Saturday, August 11, at a Jacksonville church, will raise awareness about this missing person case.

Austin Davis is a 26-year-old white male, 5', 175 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

The family has a caravan of search teams who will depart Orange Park on August 12 for the High Springs and Ft. White communities. Relatives said they hope a strong turnout at the rally will bolster that search effort and spur other search parties to join them.

The "Find Austin Davis Rally" will be held August 11, 2007, a gathering of family and friends will bolster their efforts to locate their missing son. The rally begins 1:00 p.m. at The Church of Argyle, 6823 Argyle Forest Blvd., Jacksonville. Vicki Smith, mother of Joshua Smith who has been missing from his Jacksonville home for seven years, will attend the rally and speak on behalf of other Jacksonville families with missing loved ones.


Davis was last seen June 26 when he took a taxi from his sister's house to an unknown location. Family members said Austin, a computer technician, didn't show for work that day and didn't take his laptop computer or other items , which he normally takes
everywhere.

Jim Davis, father of the missing man, said his family has been encouraged by reports from several people who believe they have seen him. Davis said the family has received reports of someone matching his son's description in the High Springs and Ft. White
areas. On Saturday, August 4, an officer with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and State Park Police led a search that produced some leads, Davis said.

“These possible sightings are giving the family hope and we pray that this rally will create the extra momentum we desperately need to bring Austin home," said Davis. “We've all been very worried, and we're looking hard and praying hard for Austin. We know someone out there knows something about Austin, and we won't rest until we know what happened to him. I believe there will be a good turn out of friends who will later fan out and post Austin's flyer in different parts of Northeast Florida and recruit help in a search of the High Springs and Ft. White areas on Sunday, August 12, 2007," Davis said.

"Every day that goes by without finding Austin is another day of worry and heartbreak. We worry constantly about Austin's safety. We do however have many friends, neighbors and co-workers who give us strength and are working hard along side us to find my son. Their help and prayers mean a great deal to us," Davis said, adding: "Newspapers, television and radio stations have printed and broadcast numerous reports on Austin's disappearance as officers from numerous Northeast Florida law enforcement agencies pursue every possible lead. We're grateful for this and believe with the help of our community, we will find Austin soon."

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office issued a missing person report on July 10 and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office issued a similar release on July 20. Press releases and other related material and information regarding this case are available at www.FindAustinDavis.com.

[Denise]

Joshua's MySpace page: http://profile.myspa...iendid=89689307

[Kelly]

Today marks seven years since Joshua disappeared. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

[Kelly]

http://www.news4jax....322/detail.html

Rally Marks Year 3 Since 2 Boys Disappeared
Families Remain Hopeful

POSTED: 7:23 pm EST February 10, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The nightmare for two Jacksonville families continued Sunday, exactly three years after their boys disappeared after walking off the campus of a local middle school.

Mark Degner and Bryan Hayes vanished on Feb. 10, 2005. The boys were 12 and 13 years old when they went missing.

On Sunday, family and friends gathered near Paxon Middle School to honor the missing boys and to keep their images in the public eye.

"It's been three years since they walked from Paxon Middle School, and they haven't been seen since. Having a missing loved one has been the most trying time and difficult time that our family has ever faced. It has been our faith in God that has sustained us and brought us peace, encouragement and hope," said a family member.

The families said they hope Sunday's event keeps the memories of their loved ones alive, and they hoped someone would remember something they saw three years ago and come forward with that information.

"We know that God is in control and that he sees the bigger picture. That doesn't mean that we stop doing everything in our power to bring our family members home, but it means that we move forward trusting God with the outcome," one family member said.

Progression pictures of what Degner and Hayes may look like three years after they disappeared were also shown at Sunday's rally.

"As of today, through technology we're looking at age-progression picture. We're asking anyone through media, if you happen to see someone who happens to resemble and looks like these boys, please call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office," said Ann Dugger, of the Justice Coalition.

The boys' families said they would not stop searching until their boys came home. They were not alone.

As the rally for Degner and Hayes grew, so did the number of families in attendance holding out hope that their own loved ones would find their ways back home.

One by one, family members of missing persons took the microphone and told their stories:

"My name is Vikki Smith and my son, Joshua, disappeared in 2000."

"My name is Mattie Johnson and my daughter, Sheena, disappeared Sept. 8, 2006."

"Hi, I'm Anita Sullivan. My brother is Austin Davis, who has been missing since June 26 of last year."

"My name is Margaret Rowan. I'm mother of John Rowan, missing since Feb. 21 2001."

Although each story was different, heartbreak was something all of the families shared.

"She left home and told me, 'Mom, I'm going. I'll be back.' The last we heard from her she went to the store she walked out the store and she hasn't been seen or heard from since," Johnson said.

Rowan's family came to Sunday's rally wearing pins to remember her son, who she said was a hardworking Irish immigrant who she believes was murdered.

"I want answers and I need answers now. I can't go on any longer. I need people here in Jacksonville to support me. I need answers. Somebody did something wrong to my son that morning, and I really need to find him," Rowan said.

Anyone with information about any missing person can call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS to give authorities tips. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

[Kelly]

Joshua has been placed on Project Jason's 18 Wheel Angels campaign. A special poster has been made for him and can be downloaded and printed for placement. More information about the program, and the link for the poster can be found here:

http://projectjason.org/18wheel.shtml

In addition to the campaign, Joshua is also featured in a national trucking publication, Through the Gears. This free magazine is distributed in truck stops nationwide and has a circulation of about 150,000.

Through the Gears and Independent Contractor are two of Target Media Partner's many publications. In partnership with Project Jason, they each feature two missing persons each per month. You can pick up your free copies at a local truck stop, but if it's far from you, you may want to call and ask if they carry that magazine. These are NOT with the regular for purchase magazines.

We hope this helps in the search for Joshua. Please consider printing and placing a poster in businesses in your community.



Thank you.

Kelly, Project Jason

[Kelly]

Joshua's Story

Joshua left for work on the night of his 23rd birthday. He was not scheduled, but rather was called in and decided to go. When he didn't come home, we started looking for him sometime after midnight. Around 5:00 am, his car was found at a beach club near our home. All his belongings were inside just as they should have been. The car was locked and the keys were not inside. His shoes were found casually kicked off in the sand.

Immediately, the local Sheriff's Department began a search that included helicopter, dog and four by fours to cover the dunes. It was explained to us by the detective, that if Joshua has gone into the water, the time most families wait for a body to be recovered was 10 days.

Although the search continued, the wait beside the ocean began. Joshua was never found. There was never any indication that he drowned. There was never any indication of foul play. There was never any indication of suicide. It was like he walked off into that dark night and was simply gone.

Josh had a tremendous spirit..what I called the heart of a champion. I believe the one characteristic that would describe him is this: He was a genuinely good young man. He is missed and loved and just like the ten days we waited beside the ocean for the sea to bring him home, we wait still to this day. We wait for him to come home.

Joshua's Mom, Vicki

[Kelly]

AAN Notify Sent. Code 42.

Help us find the missing: Become an AAN Member
http://www.projectja.../awareness.html

[Kelly]

AAN Annual Poster Notify Sent to AAN Subscribers  Code 79

Help us find the missing: Become an AAN Member and receive notifications about missing persons via email.

Click here to become a part of the solution: http://www.projectja...awareness.shtml

[Kelly]

Home for the Holidays

Joshua Smith, missing from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL since 11/4/2000

Christmas and Joshua

Written by Vicki Smith, mother of Joshua


Out of all my children, the one who loved Christmas the deepest was Josh. He seemed to feel that true Christmas mystique and magic as a child…..the excitement often drove him to total distraction.. Each and every Christmas throughout his childhood, Joshua was the one who provided us with the glimpses into Christmas through dreams dancing with sugar plums. Oh only a few lucky ones of us have those kinds of dreams!



Once, on a Christmas Eve that seems so long ago now, Joshua came wandering down the stairs well after we knew him to be sound asleep. “What’s the matter, Josh?” his daddy asked. “I don’t know, Dad”, Josh said. “I just couldn’t sleep. Excited I guess.” Then he sat beside me.(happily Santa had not yet paid his visit) So, Josh sat there on the floor watching the fire and then he decided to sing a Christmas Carol. No lights were on....just the glow of our tree and the fire dying down in the fireplace. We all remember those little boy voices that sound so innocent and carry throughout the house like a beautiful little angel had swooped by to pay us all a visit, right? And then, one by one, the other two drifted into the room, pulled to us by that clear and sweet little voice softly singing, we think.

But who really knows what really woke all three of them on the Christmas Eve night? Joshua might have told you that one of Santa’s reindeer pawed too loudly on the roof..or shook it’s head and the sleigh bells were a little too loud that year. And again, one by one, each of them joined in and there we were having a moment that couldn’t have turned out more beautifully if we had planned it.

Josh led his “choir” the rest of the time choosing each song and coaching the little ones with the words....his excitement, as always, carrying us through that night! And finally, sleep seemed to creep in and each one fell into slumber once again. Their daddy carried the boys and I picked up the baby, my daughter, and up the stairs we went. And this is when we think the distraction part joined the Christmas party...Josh woke up just enough to walk into his room and - Gasp - shut the door, which had a broken latch on it and could not be opened from the inside!

When Christmas morning rolled around, and Josh tried to open his door to come and see the gifts....he was panic stricken!! He just knew that Christmas would pass him right on by and he’d miss it all, but good old dad eventually saved the day and took off the door knob so that Joshua could join his siblings for the great reveal!!

Later we commented on how he calmed down after his initial panic at being trapped, and he said: ”Yeah..I got to thinking about it and looked over at my manger scene I made a church and got to thinking about how Christmas really is suppose to be about Jesus being born, not about me getting stuff and I just stopped being afraid!”



So, that even today when I think of Joshua being gone from us for so long now, I remember his faith, his joy at that Christmas time, and I remember to express my own gratitude to God for not only His Son, but for mine as well. Merry Christmas Josh, where ever you are. We love you. Even though no celebration will ever be alright without you here, those special Christmas memories carry us along each year as we dream of your return to us: The greatest gift we ever could receive.


Note: Non-registered members can leave comments at this site:
http://voice4themiss...ith-152010.html
(Comments are moderated)

[Kelly]

http://www.wtoctv.co....asp?S=12017542

Search for Bryce Tarter continues

Posted: Feb 20, 2010 6:03 PM EST
Updated: Feb 20, 2010 6:47 PM EST
Lynda Figueredo

SAVANNAH, GA - The 19-year old Armstrong Atlantic college student has been missing for almost three weeks now.

Bryce Tarter was last seen on January 31, 2009 leaving the school parking lot, possibly in his white Nissan pickup truck.

There's been no sign of Bryce , or his truck, and his family is determined to find him.

"We haven't really found anything significant," said Bryce's father Blake Tarter.

Eager to help, a group of volunteers gathered at the L. Scott Stell Park on Saturday morning ready to search for Bryce Tarter.

Some traveled by foot. "We are ground support," said volunteer Shannon Liles. "We are going to back up horse teams, and do what we can to get some closure."

Others searched by horse. "We all have sons," said volunteer Judy Clark. "We all have grandsons."

"I am hoping, we will find this young man alive for his family," said volunteer Roy Banks.

Bryce's older brother, Stephon Tookes, was overwhelmed by all the support. "I am the closest person to Bryce. I have shared a room with him for 15 years, on and off, that is my little brother, that is my best friend," said an emotional Tookes.

Despite the time that has passed, the family is still keeping hope that the volunteers may find him alive.

"We want answers, but we hold out hope that Bryce is safe," said Bryce's father.

Vicki Smith is also the mother of a missing child. Her son Joshua vanished nearly 10 years ago. While his car was located, her son was never found, yet she's not giving up hope and believes Bryce's family shouldn't either.

"What we are trying to do is find any type of evidence that could show Bryce was here, and we can still find him," said Smith.

The search is difficult for the family. "It's tough for everybody, my friends, my mom. I mean everybody loves Bryce. He is kinda the glue that held our family together," said Tookes.

They are determined to stick together, hoping to find Bryce.

Another group also traveled to Statesboro to where Bryce was seen at a party near the Georgia Southern Campus the night before he disappeared.

The family has setup a website to help spead information about the search for Bryce. To check it out, visit http://www.bringbrycehome.com

The Cue Center also has set up a website called, "Miles for Bryce".

On the "Miles for Bryce" website you can adopt a road or street in Georgia and help search for Bryce's missing truck.

[Jenn]

NamUs profile for Joshua: https://www.findthem....org/cases/3244