Deceased/Not Found VA - Eric Smith, 42, Cedar Bluff, 8 Nov 2013

[Faithandhope]

I definitely do not want to point fingers, but I do find it odd that his mom is the only one I see quoted anywhere (pertaining to family).

If my DH went missing, hell would be raised until he was found. There is not a length I wouldn't go to.

So yes, the silence from rest of family is kind of weird, IMO, but everyone handles things differently. I wouldn't say it is indicative of anything, just not how I imagine I would react.

I too think it is weird that an experienced hunter would be in the woods at that time of day. Most hunting is done by like 10am.

Is it possible that he went somewhere else before/after he checked on his stand (if that is really what happened)? People sometimes say, "oh I'm just running out really quickly to go to ________", but then really do a few other things as well. I sometimes say that I'm just running out to the store, but also go get gas, and then remember another stop or two that I need to make. Is it possible SAR needs to look at other local spots? Did he hunt any other locations (like maybe at a hunt club or another private property)? Many hunters I know hunt their own woods and then usually know someone with more land further out in the country who lets them hunt there too. Just a few more thoughts...

 

[vasportsmom]

I definitely do not want to point fingers, but I do find it odd that his mom is the only one I see quoted anywhere (pertaining to family).

If my DH went missing, hell would be raised until he was found. There is not a length I wouldn't go to.

So yes, the silence from rest of family is kind of weird, IMO, but everyone handles things differently. I wouldn't say it is indicative of anything, just not how I imagine I would react.

I too think it is weird that an experienced hunter would be in the woods at that time of day. Most hunting is done by like 10am.

Is it possible that he went somewhere else before/after he checked on his stand (if that is really what happened)? People sometimes say, "oh I'm just running out really quickly to go to ________", but then really do a few other things as well. I sometimes say that I'm just running out to the store, but also go get gas, and then remember another stop or two that I need to make. Is it possible SAR needs to look at other local spots? Did he hunt any other locations (like maybe at a hunt club or another private property)? Many hunters I know hunt their own woods and then usually know someone with more land further out in the country who lets them hunt there too. Just a few more thoughts...

Quick post because I have a billion things to get done but Eric was on foot with his phone & wallet left at home. All he had with him was a muzzleloader.


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[JnRyan]

I definitely do not want to point fingers, but I do find it odd that his mom is the only one I see quoted anywhere (pertaining to family).

If my DH went missing, hell would be raised until he was found. There is not a length I wouldn't go to.

So yes, the silence from rest of family is kind of weird, IMO, but everyone handles things differently. I wouldn't say it is indicative of anything, just not how I imagine I would react.

I too think it is weird that an experienced hunter would be in the woods at that time of day. Most hunting is done by like 10am.

Is it possible that he went somewhere else before/after he checked on his stand (if that is really what happened)? People sometimes say, "oh I'm just running out really quickly to go to ________", but then really do a few other things as well. I sometimes say that I'm just running out to the store, but also go get gas, and then remember another stop or two that I need to make. Is it possible SAR needs to look at other local spots? Did he hunt any other locations (like maybe at a hunt club or another private property)? Many hunters I know hunt their own woods and then usually know someone with more land further out in the country who lets them hunt there too. Just a few more thoughts...

That's strange about his wife, you'd think she would be more vocal.

 

[Roselvr]

I'm mobile so I'm not going to quote; my question is where is his car?

 

[vasportsmom]

I'm mobile so I'm not going to quote; my question is where is his car?

AFAIK it is still at his house. He wasn't driving that day since he was just walking back on his own land.


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[Roselvr]

AFAIK it is still at his house. He wasn't driving that day since he was just walking back on his own land.


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Then whatever happened to him; happened from home

 

[vasportsmom]

Then whatever happened to him; happened from home

Seems likely doesn't it? Whatever happened to him almost had to have came to him.


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[Soulmagent]

How many tree stands did he have and did anyone map there location?

Has his DNA been entered into CODIS?

 

[vasportsmom]

How many tree stands did he have and did anyone map there location?

Has his DNA been entered into CODIS?

I've only heard of the tree stand that he was headed to that morning. It was less than a mile from his home and it sounds like its location was pretty common knowledge. I know nothing about hunting but if it is common to have more than one then I'm sure he did. He loved his family, his job and hunting.

I don't have a clue about CODIS but I will call the police chief and ask in just a few.


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[JnRyan]

Just dropping by to see if there is any news. Deer season has started and with the leaves off trees and shrubs you would think he might be found. I can't help but think he is not going to be found on his property. I don't know if anyone is hunting the property, but a hunter tracking a wounded deer might cross over onto the property still.

 

[vasportsmom]

Just dropping by to see if there is any news. Deer season has started and with the leaves off trees and shrubs you would think he might be found. I can't help but think he is not going to be found on his property. I don't know if anyone is hunting the property, but a hunter tracking a wounded deer might cross over onto the property still.

The leaves have fallen and the woods are packed with hunters. We have had a few pretty days lately that would have been ideal for organizing searches but nothing has been mentioned. There have been a lot of lay-offs at local mines recently and with the holidays upon us I'm really shocked that people aren't making more of an effort to collect on the $20,000 reward.


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[Roselvr]

I've only heard of the tree stand that he was headed to that morning. It was less than a mile from his home and it sounds like its location was pretty common knowledge. I know nothing about hunting but if it is common to have more than one then I'm sure he did. He loved his family, his job and hunting.

I don't have a clue about CODIS but I will call the police chief and ask in just a few.


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Eric was just entered in NamUs; I doubt they even have a DNA sample. His mom had told me he should be in NamUs but he was not. I told her how to search so she could see for herself. I have no doubt that he's there because she made some phone calls after I contacted her

 

[Faithandhope]

A few more questions if anyone knows...

How much land is on his property/bordering properties? Like someone said above, wounded deer cross over and hunters are allowed to follow to get them. Are we talking hundreds of wooded acres, where I can see how SAR might have missed something? Or are we talking less than 50?

Kind of a weird, hinky feeling to this case...

 

[vasportsmom]

A few more questions if anyone knows...

How much land is on his property/bordering properties? Like someone said above, wounded deer cross over and hunters are allowed to follow to get them. Are we talking hundreds of wooded acres, where I can see how SAR might have missed something? Or are we talking less than 50?

Kind of a weird, hinky feeling to this case...

Less than 50, way less. I don't believe that the early search parties could have missed him, most less SAR. There were searchers (volunteer & trained) dogs & helicopters in the area for over a week. Volunteer searches continued long after that. IMO, if Eric was missed in the woods it's because they were searching the wrong woods and that's on the person that directed them there.

*Three different areas were searched. The majority of the effort was focused on his property and the reason for the other searches were never explained but he couldn't have just wandered to either of them from his home.


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[Roselvr]

Less than 50, way less. I don't believe that the early search parties could have missed him, most less SAR. There were searchers (volunteer & trained) dogs & helicopters in the area for over a week. Volunteer searches continued long after that. IMO, if Eric was missed in the woods it's because they were searching the wrong woods and that's on the person that directed them there.

*Three different areas were searched. The majority of the effort was focused on his property and the reason for the other searches were never explained but he couldn't have just wandered to either of them from his home.


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I have some of the search info with link in his album on Never Forget Me; link is above if anyone wants to read it. Its after the LE contact info

 

[JnRyan]

Less than 50, way less. I don't believe that the early search parties could have missed him, most less SAR. There were searchers (volunteer & trained) dogs & helicopters in the area for over a week. Volunteer searches continued long after that. IMO, if Eric was missed in the woods it's because they were searching the wrong woods and that's on the person that directed them there.

*Three different areas were searched. The majority of the effort was focused on his property and the reason for the other searches were never explained but he couldn't have just wandered to either of them from his home.


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LESS than 50! In a matter of days that 50 acres should have been well covered! Something is not right here for sure!

 

[Roselvr]

I have some of the search info with link in his album on Never Forget Me; link is above if anyone wants to read it. Its after the LE contact info

Eric Smith, 42, Cedar Bluff, Nov 8, 2013

SEARCHES - Around 10 a.m. Friday morning Smith left from his home in Cedar Bluff to hunt the adjacent woods. By Friday evening Smith had not returned, with temperatures dropping to26 F family members grew concerned and contacted the authorities. Virginia State
Police helicopter was dispatched, equipped with F L I R (Forward Looking Infrared) equipment.By Saturday morning a search began of the area around Smith’s Cedar Bluff residence in the vicinity of The Cuts.
Billy Chrimes, Deputy Search and Rescue Coordinator with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management said a trailing dog picked up several scents leading from the Smith home. However, these trails could be days old. At least one of these trails led Back to the home. Despite the resources utilized the search was still unsuccessful throughout the day.
By Sunday afternoon approximately 60 people had gathered at the command center set up at the Cedar Bluff Fire Department. Not only was the group made up of the trained search and rescue teams from across the region but coworkers from CONSOL Energy, fire department members, and other members of the community. Cedar Bluff Police Chief David Mills, coordinator of the search said with Smith wearing high tech camo the search becomes much more difficult. “He can be lying down and he would be impossible to see,” Mills said. The terrain is also a big problem in the search. With thick underbrush and steep hills it is necessary to cover an area multiple times in order to be thorough.
Six air scent dogs were being utilized in Sunday’s search. The dogs trained to smell and alert to any human scent present can be the equivalent of 10 or 12 human ground team members especially in the conditions of the ongoing search.

- See more at: http://www.tazewellcountyonline.com/reward-offered-for-information.html#sthash.HYMygHoS.dpuf

 

[Aeronomy]

Going hunting without his phone? Most hunters I know take their phones with them and especially if no one is with them! Their ringers are off, but their phones are in their pockets or pack. My suspicions are focused within his home and I think someone has killed him. Sorry if I'm being a bit blunt, but the scenario highly perturbs me. The only thing I'm tossing back and forth in my mind right now is if the person who may have wanted him dead was the one who killed him or if they hired/found/had someone else do it for them.

 

[vasportsmom]

I'm at the doctor's but I will drive through The Cuts on my way home and get some pictures so you guys can have a better idea of the area. The 2nd search area is right up the road from me so I can get pictures there too. The 3rd search was at the Russell-Tazwell county line and I was in Gatlinburg when they were there so I'm not 100% sure where they focused.


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[vasportsmom]

Going hunting without his phone? Most hunters I know take their phones with them and especially if no one is with them! Their ringers are off, but their phones are in their pockets or pack. My suspicions are focused within his home and I think someone has killed him. Sorry if I'm being a bit blunt, but the scenario highly perturbs me. The only thing I'm tossing back and forth in my mind right now is if the person who may have wanted him dead was the one who killed him or if they hired/found/had someone else do it for them.

I'm told that Eric ALWAYS took his phone with him until that fateful day.

Trying not to cross the line but since we all know the spouse is generally the first person looked at, I'll just say that TS is by no means big enough to move the body of a man Eric's size.


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