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Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP33803) and 5 other sources
In the spring of 2013, a sense of unease settled over a family in Springfield, Oregon. On April 26th, 76-year-old Carl Lynn Smith, a husband and father, expressed his desire to go for a walk from his home. This simple request would be the last time his loved ones saw him. Carl, a white male with graying hair and hazel eyes, was living with dementia, a condition that added a layer of deep concern to his sudden absence. He left his residence that day and vanished, leaving behind a family to grapple with his unexplained disappearance. At the time he went missing, he stood at approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed around 177 pounds.

The details of what Carl was wearing on the day he disappeared provide a snapshot of the ordinary man who seemingly stepped out for a casual stroll and never returned. He was dressed in a black coat, blue jeans, and a camouflage baseball hat. On his feet were gray tennis shoes, and he wore a black belt. He also had his eyeglasses with him. His personal effects included a silver keychain and a black trifold wallet. A significant piece of jewelry he was wearing was his gold wedding band, a symbol of his long-standing commitment to his family. Distinctive marks on his body included a mole on his back and scars on his left breast and chest. Despite these details, and the fact that he did not have access to a vehicle, there have been no definitive sightings of Carl since that April day.

The years that have passed since Carl Smith's disappearance have not brought any answers or closure to his family. The initial search and subsequent investigation by the Springfield Police Department have yielded no clues as to his whereabouts or what might have happened to him. His case remains an open and unresolved missing person investigation, a painful reality for those who knew and loved him. The fact that he was suffering from dementia at the time of his disappearance has always been a primary concern, suggesting he may have become disoriented or confused. The lack of any substantial leads or new information has left his case in a state of prolonged uncertainty, a heart-wrenching limbo for a family still waiting for any news of their beloved husband and father.

Last Seen: Apr 26, 2013

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

77%Possible
John Doe — Cottage Grove, Oregon - unidentified case UP58583
John Doe — Cottage Grove, Oregon
UP58583 • Found Apr 26, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 78%Est. 58–72 vs 76 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'2" vs 5'10"
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
75%Possible
John Doe — Newport, Oregon - unidentified case UP125974
John Doe — Newport, Oregon
UP125974 • Found Apr 18, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 95%Est. 60–75 vs 76 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%65 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'11" vs 5'10"

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.