Six-year-old Chance Douglas Smith was reported missing from his grandfather’s residence in Locust on Saturday, December 13, 2003, at about 3:49 p.m. Volunteers, police, and firefighters searched and found him at about 11:30 p.m. in a pasture near the place where he had last been seen. He was taken to Stanly Memorial Hospital and died in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 14, 2003.

Investigators determined Chance was killed at a location different from the horse pasture where his body was found. The State Bureau of Investigation provided assistance, several SBI agents conducted interviews, and leads continue to be pursued. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Locust Police Department at (704) 888-4744 or the North Carolina SBI at (800) 334-3000.

Did anyone in the Locust area recall unusual activity or visitors near the grandfather’s property on December 13, 2003?