John Warren Smith Jr., 37, was last seen on April 26, 1996, in Santa Cruz, California. At the time, he was reportedly struggling with depression. His vehicle, a black 1985 Toyota pickup truck, was later found abandoned near mile marker 26.86 on Highway 9, a mountainous region with steep ravines. All of his belongings were left inside the truck, but there were no signs of Smith. Despite extensive searches, no trace of him has been found since.
Smith was a talented artist known for his wood carvings and drawings. He had two distinctive tattoos, one of a sun on his left shoulder, while the location of the other remains unspecified. Due to the circumstances of his disappearance, it is classified as an endangered missing person case, but few details have surfaced over the years. Investigators continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
If you have any knowledge of his whereabouts, you're urged to contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department.Last Seen: Apr 26, 1996
