NC NC - Aaron Cody Fortner aka Cody Smith 25, belongings left @ home, Savannah, Jackson Co, 21 Feb 2022

[PommyMommy]

MAR 6, 2024

Two years later, clues in Fortner disappearance few

By Beth Lawrence

www.thesylvaherald.com

...Lack of progress has not stopped Fortner’s family from hoping, searching, and doing everything they can to bring him home. They rented a billboard in spring 2023, to spread awareness and set up a Facebook page to solicit information.

Occasionally, the family receives tips about sightings with no results. Woodard contacted Texas EquuSearch, a nonprofit dedicated to locating missing persons, hoping to bring in resources for another search of Fortner’s last whereabouts. She is now raising funds for a private investigator. Human remains were located in Jackson County and surrounding areas several times last year. Each time a body is found, it rips the band aid off of a barely healing wound. Woodard doesn’t want to hope or worry the remains are Fortner’s.

Efforts to bring closure to a family continuing here

By Beth Lawrence

www.thesylvaherald.com

He said he kept seeing a man with a dog. His younger sister later remembered her brother insisting there was a dog outside Dollar General, but she did not see one. The next day Fortner’s family knew something was wrong when they had not heard from him. Fortner’s mother, sisters and stepfather met at his home. The previously tidy camper was in disarray with his belongings strewn all over. A fan was running, and the lights and an electric blanket were left on.

Fortner was nowhere to be found. The only trace of him was his baseball cap dropped on an embankment near depressions that looked as if he may have been sitting there. The only other possible clue came from a neighbor’s security camera.

Around 5 p.m. a white Toyota 4runner stopped at the end of the driveway, sat for 15 minutes, drove to the house, stayed for 15 minutes and left. The SUV and its driver were never identified.

 

[Caring1]

 

[taurean]

I've sank some time into this case but am still missing some key information..
Hoping to hear from his sister
Does anyone have information on:
- relationship with biological father
- drug addiction / affiliation
- did he own a vehicle
- how long he was living in NC after moving back from TN

I understand he was openly gay and used dating apps under numerous surnames

At 330am on the night of his disappearance it is noted a truck driver heard screaming behind dollar general, with mention of someone screaming "dad" "why are you doing this again dad"

I cannot find any information of his father's involvement in his life. If he isn't present this could involve trafficking, but I can't be certain..

 

[mrfrinkles]

The Vanished Podcast just did an excellent feature on Aaron. I sure hope it leads to some further clues as to what happened to him.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Today, Jackson County Emergency Management, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and the Western Carolina University Forensic Anthropology Program partnered together to revisit the Aaron Fortner case in the Savannah Community of Jackson County.
This week marks four years since Mr. Fortner disappeared from his home. In continued commitment to his family and our community, professors and students from Western Carolina University were paired with professionals from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT), along with Emergency Management staff, to conduct a detailed and methodical search of the area.
Using structured search techniques and forensic expertise, the team carefully examined targeted locations as part of the ongoing investigation. While the case remains active, today’s efforts reflect the dedication of all involved to continue pursuing answers and, ultimately, closure and peace for Mr. Fortner’s family.

https://www.facebook.com/JacksonNCEM/posts/1231204335870213