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
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location
Lead #1Why was Daniel's vehicle found at Buckeye Flat trailhead over a year after his last contact, and what significance does the abandoned campsite hold?
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timeline
Lead #2What happened to Daniel between June 2011 and June 2012 when his vehicle was discovered?
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evidence
Lead #3Were there any personal belongings, supplies, or signs of habitation at the abandoned campsite that could indicate his activities?
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 a deserted campsite, though an extensive search yielded no trace of him. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear, and investigators continue to seek information about his whereabouts or fate.
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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.
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witness
Lead #4Did anyone see Daniel Smith Jr. or his maroon Honda Civic in the Grass Valley or El Dorado National Forest areas during 2011-2012?
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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
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2011-06-01
Last contact with family
Daniel Keith Smith Jr. last had contact with family members in Grass Valley, Nevada County.
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2012-06-01
Vehicle discovered
Maroon Honda Civic located abandoned near Buckeye Flat trailhead in El Dorado National Forest with an abandoned campsite nearby.
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2012-06-01
Search and rescue operation
El Dorado County Search and Rescue conducted a search of the area 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