I knew James in our teens and twenties, growing up in the Midwest. We attender school together and, later, became coworkers. Throughout this entire period, we were very close friends and I appreciate seeing that folks on here are still looking or trying to solve it has been happening here.

As far as driving a ways to a park, the James I knew would often do such a thing to get some space and take a moment for himself, but the fact that the had tank was supposedly empty upon arrival to the park is weird ...suggests possible syphoning imo. Just some food for thought there.

Thank you for sharing — especially the context about him driving to clear his head. The empty tank detail is a big red flag in this case. Hoping your post helps keep momentum and eyes on it.

James Earl Smith, 35, of Portland, Oregon, disappeared after leaving home to get dinner on June 22, 2016, and did not return. His wife reported him missing on June 24, 2016, after he failed to come home and missed several days of work, which was described as highly out of character.

Smith is white, six feet to six feet one inch tall, 155 to 170 pounds, with red or auburn hair, blue eyes, a beard, and a star tattoo on the back of his neck. His black 2006 Scion XB was found abandoned in a remote, heavily forested area in Clackamas County, a few miles from Promontory Park near Estacada. That discovery prompted an extensive search involving the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Wave Search & Rescue volunteers and an Oregon National Guard helicopter, but no sign of Smith was located.

The active search was later suspended after leads were exhausted and no new information emerged. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unresolved. If anyone knew James, saw his Scion in that area, or has information about his movements around June 22, 2016, please come forward.