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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 (MP20808) and 3 other sources
In the quiet farming community of Burkesville, Kentucky, the disappearance of James David Smith, a man known to his friends and family as Jim, has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him. In 2008, the then 47-year-old vanished, leaving behind a life and a loving family. The last known contact with Smith was on February 21, 2008. He was reported missing three days later, on February 24, 2008, by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, who have been handling the case ever since. At the time he went missing, Smith was described as a 6-foot-1-inch-tall white male, weighing around 174 pounds. He had blond or strawberry-blond hair, blue eyes, and a mustache. Several scars marked his body: one on his right forearm, another on his left eyebrow, and a third on one of his inner thighs.

The day he was last seen, Smith was reportedly wearing blue jeans underneath a pair of brown Carhartt coveralls. He also had on a brown hunting hat and was wearing a watch. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear. The official NamUs file on his case notes his 'NAVAL BACKGR0UND' under the circumstances of his disappearance, a detail that has not been publicly elaborated upon. Despite the passage of time, the investigation into what happened to James David Smith has not been officially closed. His case is one of many that remain unsolved in the state of Kentucky, a testament to the enduring pain and uncertainty that families of the missing often face.

The community of Burkesville and Smith's family have been left with many unanswered questions. With no new leads or information, the case has grown cold. For years, there has been no significant progress in the investigation. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office continues to hold the case file, number 022108130301, but the trail has long gone cold. The lack of resolution in Smith's disappearance has cast a long shadow over his family and the close-knit community he called home. His case is a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the deep and lasting impact that a single person's absence can have on so many others. The overview of the case is that James David Smith, a 47-year-old man, vanished from his home in Burkesville, Kentucky, in February of 2008, and despite an ongoing investigation, no trace of him has ever been found, leaving his family and community searching for answers.

Last Seen: Feb 21, 2008

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Harriman, Tennessee
UP139160 • Found Jan 24, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 82%75 mi away
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'0" vs 6'1"

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.