News Flash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2021

The Charlottesville Police Department continues to ask for the public’s assistance regarding the disappearance and homicide of 19-year-old Dashad “Sage” Smith, who vanished nine years ago today on November 20, 2012.

Smith, 19, was last seen around 6:30 p.m. in the 500 block of West Main Street. The department has previously identified now 29-year-old Erik McFadden, an acquaintance of Smith, as a critical person of interest in the case. Smith was supposed to meet McFadden that evening, but what happened after they met remains a mystery.

McFadden was supposed to speak with detectives in person, but he did not show up and reportedly left town. McFadden was the last known person to have contact with Smith, and CPD detectives continue to believe that McFadden has crucial information that could help solve this case.

Initially, Smith’s case was classified as a missing person’s case, but the department reclassified the case as a homicide in November 2016. CPD detectives, as well as local, state, and federal partners spent countless months and hours identifying and scouring through evidence, interviews, and witnesses.

CPD continues to investigate this case with the assistance of our local law enforcement partners.

In June 2019, the Charlottesville Police Department filed a missing person’s report for McFadden at the request of his mother. Detectives believe he could have traveled to and could be living in cities such as Baltimore, Md., Joppa, Md., Lake City, S.C., Columbia, S.C., Atlanta, Ga., New York City, N.Y., Rochester, N.Y., and other places on the West Coast.  Detectives have pursued multiple leads in these cities, but unfortunately, they have not led to any significant developments.

Smith was a beloved family member and friend to many in the Charlottesville and LGBTQ+ communities. Although nine years have passed, CPD is hopeful with the help of the media and continued public interest, we can finally solve this case and bring closure to a family and community that continues to experience anguish.

Anyone with information about McFadden’s disappearance or Smith’s homicide is asked to contact Det. Ross Cundiff at (434) 970-3373, or our anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000.

A $10,000 reward is being offered through Crime Stoppers, and an additional $10,000 is being matched by the City of Charlottesville for information leading to an arrest in Smith’s case.

Media Contact
Sgt. Ronald Stayments
Charlottesville Police Department
434-970-3280
stayments@charlottesville.gov