He checked into a motel, called the detective handling his case to arrange an interview, and was never heard from again. Police say he ran. His family says that doesn't add up.
Background
Kevin Smith's family says he had, with the help of his estranged mother-in-law, obtained a vehicle from a dealership using a power of attorney connected to an elderly woman in her care. The Los Angeles Police Department contacted Smith, then in Florida, and asked him to return the vehicle to Los Angeles and be interviewed regarding potential charges.
The Trip to Los Angeles
According to his family, Smith drove cross-country, stopping to see relatives along the way, and arrived in Los Angeles on November 2, 2011, checking into the Adventurer Motel. Family members say he called the LAPD detective handling the case directly to arrange his interview. Records the family later obtained showed the call took place five days earlier than the detective had recalled and lasted seven minutes.
The Disappearance
Smith went missing on November 8, 2011. According to his family, phone records showed he had asked a friend if he could stay with her that day but never arrived, and that he had called his estranged mother-in-law shortly after arriving in Los Angeles.
A Family's Doubts
Smith's family disputes the police characterization of the case, saying investigators declined to actively search for him because they considered him "voluntarily missing" — a designation the family believes was applied prematurely and without adequate investigation. The family believes, though has not proven, that Smith may have been the only person who could confirm allegations against his estranged mother-in-line, and that his estranged wife's immigration status may have depended on their marriage remaining intact. They point to a previous vehicle and an expensive watch given to Smith, which they believe may have been connected to pressure to remain in the marriage, though this has not been independently confirmed.
Where the Case Stands
As of the available information, Kevin Smith has never been found, and his vehicle has never turned up in any registration, ticket, or accident record. His estranged mother-in-law was charged in 2012 in connection with alleged crimes against an elderly person, though a related forgery charge was dropped. Smith's family has said their efforts to draw broader media attention to the case have had limited success. It should be noted that the claims outlined above regarding specific individuals reflect the family's beliefs and have not been proven in any legal proceeding.
FAQ
Has Kevin Smith ever been found?
No. He remains missing, and his case is unresolved.
Do police consider Kevin Smith a missing person or a fugitive?
Police have classified him as "voluntarily missing," a characterization his family strongly disputes.
Has anyone been charged in connection with his disappearance?
No one has been charged specifically in connection with his disappearance; his estranged mother-in-law faced separate charges related to alleged crimes against an elderly person.