Summary based on the NamUs case record (CP999656787) and
1 other sourceIn the late spring of 2021, concern began to grow for 53-year-old Joseph David Smithey, a resident of Mountain View on the Big Island of Hawaii. Friends and family had not heard from him since sometime in late May, a silence that was out of character and sparked initial worry that would soon escalate into a formal missing persons investigation. Smithey, who resided on Lehua Street, was known to frequent both the Mountain View and Kurtistown areas.
The last time anyone had contact with him, there were concerns that he was in need of medical attention, adding a layer of urgency to his disappearance. Despite these concerns, for reasons that remain unclear, he was not officially reported as a missing person until June 2021, creating a critical gap in the early stages of the search.
Joseph David Smithey is described as a Caucasian male, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing between 160 and 170 pounds. He has a fair complexion, blue eyes, and graying red hair. At the time of his disappearance, no description of the clothing he was wearing was available, leaving a void of information for those who were desperately trying to remember any detail that might lead to his whereabouts. The lack of specific details surrounding his last known moments has presented a significant challenge to investigators and has left his loved ones with a painful absence of closure.
As time has passed, the investigation into Joseph Smithey's disappearance has continued, with detectives from the Hawai'i Island Police Department actively seeking information from the public. They have renewed their requests for assistance multiple times, hoping that someone might come forward with a piece of information, no matter how small it may seem. The case is one of several from the Puna district that authorities are investigating, and while not confirmed, there is suspicion that foul play could be a factor in his disappearance. Investigators have conducted numerous interviews and analyzed financial and cellphone records in their search for answers. The overview of this case is one of profound uncertainty; a man vanished from his home with few initial leads, and despite ongoing efforts, the circumstances of his disappearance remain a mystery, leaving a community and a family waiting for any news that might bring him home.Last Seen: May 15, 2021