Joshua Bryan Smith, a 23-year-old man from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, went missing on November 4, 2000, his birthday. Earlier that day, Smith spent time with his father at The Lodge at Ponte Vedra Beach, working out, and later enjoyed a movie and dinner at a local complex. He was employed at Lulu’s Restaurant and was scheduled to work that evening. However, during his shift, he got into a disagreement with the manager and left at around 7:30 p.m., well before his shift was over.
The last confirmed sighting of Smith was at around 8:30 p.m., when he was seen walking near his parked 1994 Ford Ranger at The Lodge at Ponte Vedra Beach. His family, alarmed when he didn’t return home after his shift, began searching for him that night and continued their efforts until the following day when they notified the authorities. Smith’s truck was later found parked, locked, with his wallet and cash inside, but his keys were missing. His sneakers were found on the nearby beach, and search dogs tracked his scent down the beach for about half a mile before losing the trail. Despite extensive searches, no further clues have been discovered.
Smith had been dealing with some personal challenges leading up to his disappearance. After leaving Flagler College in early 2000, where he had been studying and playing soccer, he moved back in with his parents. His family mentioned that he had been going through a rough period mentally but had plans for the future, including a desire to become a police officer. His disappearance remains a mystery, and despite several searches, no substantial leads have surfaced, leaving his family and the local community in uncertainty about what happened to him.
Last Seen: Nov 04, 2000
