Jimmy Sylvester Smoak, 47, disappeared from the region in the spring of 2019. He was last seen in Hampton County on April 1, 2019, and all communication from him stopped after that. Known to spend time in Hampton, Bamberg, and Colleton counties, he used a prosthetic left leg from the knee down.

For years the disappearance remained unresolved and periodically drew renewed calls for public assistance. Over time investigators developed a narrative that Mr. Smoak had died, and by late 2025 two people were charged in connection with his death.

Anyone with information about where Jimmy Smoak was on or after April 1, 2019, or who may have seen him in Hampton, Bamberg, or Colleton counties is asked to come forward.