Missing from: Ponte Vedra, Florida
Missing: November 04, 2000
Age at disappearance: 23
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 145
Distinguishing Characteristics: Scars, Marks, Tattoos: Caucasian male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Smith’s hair is curly. He had a full beard at the time of his 2000 disappearance. Smith’s nickname is Josh.
Details of Disappearance: Smith worked out with his father at The Lodge at Ponte Vedra Beach in Ponte Vedra, Florida on November 4, 2000, which was his 23rd birthday. He attended a movie and had dinner later during the day at the Tinsel Town complex. He was employed at Lulu’s Restaurant on Roscoe Road and was supposed to work the 5:30 to 11:00 p.m. evening shift. Joshua’s younger brother dropped off a birthday gift of $60 during the evening. During his shift at work, Smith got into a disagreement with the manager of the restaurant, left at 7:30 p.m., and never returned. When he didn’t arrive home shortly after his shift was supposed to end at 11:00, his family began searching for him. They drove around town searching until 5:00, when they notified the police.
Joshua was last seen walking through the lobby of The Lodge at Ponte Vedra Beach near his vehicle at approximately 8:30 p.m. His relatives were members of the club at the time.
Joshua’s father located his son’s 1994 Ford Ranger in its parking place near The Lodge. The truck was locked and Smith’s wallet and cash were inside the Ford Ranger, but the vehicle’s keys were missing. There was no sign of foul play at the scene.
Smith’s sneakers were discovered on the beach approximately 20 feet from The Lodge. Search dogs traced his scent one-half mile from the location of his sneakers down the beach, but no additional evidence was uncovered. Authorities told his loved ones that evidence would have washed ashore if Smith drowned in the area, but nothing was located. He has never been heard from again.
Investigative Agency: St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office 904-824-8304 904-824-9099
If you have any information on this case, please contact CUE Center for Missing Persons at (910) 343-1131 or call the CUE Center 24-hour tip line at (910) 232-1687. All information submitted to CUE Center for Missing Persons is confidential.