SheWhoMustNotBeNamed
Former Member
Missing Since: August 22, 1998 from Redding, California
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: January 6, 1982
Age: 16 years old
Height and Weight: 5'7, 135 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Blonde hair, hazel eyes. Smith's ears are pierced. Her first name may be spelled "Terra."
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A sports top, shorts and multi-colored tennis shoes.
Details of Disappearance
Smith was last seen leaving her family's residence in Redding, California to go for a jog between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. on August 22, 1998. She never returned home and has not been seen again.
The last person to possibly see Smith was her former martial arts instructor and boyfriend, Troy Zink. A photo of Zink is posted below this case summary. Zink told authorities that Smith called him during the evening hours of August 22 and asked him to meet her near her home at 6:30 p.m. Zink claimed that Smith requested $2,000 from him during the meeting. He said he refused to give her the money and she became angry. Zink said that Smith asked him to drop her off at the intersection of Old Alturas Road and Old Oregon Trail in Redding. He stated that he drove to Hang Glider Hill by himself to pray afterwards and returned to his house at approximately 11:30 p.m.
Zink was married at the time of his sexual relationship with Smith. He was previously convicted of rape and other charges. Zink has denied he was involved with Smith's disappearance. He said that he received a letter from Smith, which allegedly stated that she was planning to leave her home. Smith's family has maintained that she was a typical teenager who had some problems with her life, but nothing that would force her to run away. Smith's family said that they discovered she was planning to end her sexual relationship with Zink from several journal entries Smith wrote prior to her disappearance. They believe that Smith contacted Zink and tried to end the affair on the day she was last seen, as opposed to Zink's version of events. Zink has refused to cooperate further with authorities regarding Smith's case. He has since been imprisoned for an unrelated charge.
There was an unconfirmed sighting of Smith on the evening of her disappearance in Redding. A witness told investigators that someone matching Smith's description was spotted inside a full-size 1976 dark blue Ford pickup truck with mag wheels and a yellow tailgate. The girl was accompanied by an unidentified Caucasian male. It has not been established if this sighting is related to Smith's case.
No arrests have been made in connection with Smith's disappearance and her case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Shasta County Sheriff's Office
530-245-6025
Charley Project
NCMEC