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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timeline
Lead #1What happened during the one-year gap between June 2011 (last contact) and June 2012 (vehicle discovery)? Was Daniel living in South Sacramento or Grass Valley during this period?
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location
Lead #2Why was Daniel's vehicle abandoned at Buckeye Flat trailhead? Was he planning a hiking trip or did something unexpected occur there?
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evidence
Lead #3What condition was the abandoned campsite in, and did it contain any personal items or evidence suggesting Daniel's activities or fate?
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 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 occurred in the year between his last contact and the discovery of his vehicle.
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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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vehicle
Lead #4Were there any forensic findings in or around the maroon Honda Civic that could indicate foul play or voluntary disappearance?
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witness
Lead #5Did anyone see Daniel or his vehicle in the El Dorado National Forest area in the months before June 2012?
Have information about any of these leads?
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 in June 2011 in Grass Valley, Nevada County, CA.
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2012-06-01
Vehicle Discovery
Daniel's maroon Honda Civic was located abandoned near Buckeye Flat trailhead in El Dorado National Forest, next to an abandoned campsite.
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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:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 5302651471
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2011
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5302651471
You can remain anonymous