The person at the center of this case
Daniel Keith Smith Jr.
Missing Person · Open
15 years waiting · since 2011
Missing Person: Daniel Keith Smith Jr
Justice for Daniel Keith Smith Jr. — the trail went cold in 2011, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🚗
vehicle
Lead #1Why was Daniel's maroon Honda Civic found abandoned near Buckeye Flat trailhead over a year after his last contact? Did he drive there himself?
📍
location
Lead #2What is the significance of the abandoned campsite found next to his vehicle? Was he camping, or does this indicate foul play?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3Why is there a one-year gap between his last contact in June 2011 and the vehicle discovery in June 2012? Where was he during that time?
Daniel Keith Smith Jr., a 34-year-old white male, was last in contact with family in June 2011 from Grass Valley, Nevada County, California. In June 2012, his maroon Honda Civic was discovered abandoned near the Buckeye Flat trailhead in El Dorado National Forest, alongside an abandoned campsite, though extensive search efforts yielded no trace of him. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear, and investigators continue seeking information about his whereabouts and what may have happened after his vehicle was found.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Did Daniel have any connection to El Dorado National Forest or the Buckeye Flat area that might explain why his vehicle was found there?
👤
person
Lead #5Were there any witnesses who saw Daniel or his maroon Honda Civic between June 2011 and June 2012?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP65211. Missing person: Daniel Keith Smith Jr.
Last known contact: 2011-06-01 in Grass Valley, Nevada, CA. Circumstances: Daniel Smith Jr last had contact with family in June 2011.
He was believed to possibly be living in unincorporated Grass Valley or possibly somewhere in South Sacramento. In June of 2012, Daniel's vehicle (maroon Honda Civic) was located near Buckeye Flat trail head in the El Dorado National Forest (El Dorado County).
The vehicle appeared to be abandoned and was next to a abandoned campsite. A search of the area was conducted by El Dorado County Search and Rescue with negative results.
Demographics: 34 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 7 in, 160 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Green.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Unknown Clothing. Investigating agency: Nevada County Sheriff's Office | 1110-3127 | 2011-11-01.
Timeline of Events
👁️
2011-06-01
Last Contact with Family
Daniel Keith Smith Jr. last had contact with family on or around June 1, 2011, in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California.
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2012-06-01
Vehicle Discovery
Daniel's maroon Honda Civic was located abandoned near the Buckeye Flat trailhead in El Dorado National Forest, next to an abandoned campsite.
🕵️
2012-06-01
Search and Rescue Operation
El Dorado County Search and Rescue conducted a search of the area around the vehicle discovery with negative results.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2011
Last Updated:July 8, 2026
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Phone: 5302651471
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2011
Last Updated:July 8, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5302651471
You can remain anonymous