SANDY, Utah, Nov. 25, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) ─ Emotions ran high and tears flowed freely Wednesday as the families of three people missing in Utah begged listeners to help in the search for Macin Smith, Elizabeth Salgado and Nicole Coletti Harris.
“Please, please help us find Macin,” said Donna Bates, aunt of the 17-year-old boy who disappeared from his St. George family’s home in early September.
“We are very grateful to people who have volunteered their time and resources,” said Bates, struggling with tears as she talked. “At this time, we have no idea if he is alive, hungry, cold, safe…. We ask anyone, if you sere or hear anything, please report it to local authorities. And Macin, if you can hear me, you are loved. Please come home.”
Utah’s Smart family, including Ed, Lois, and daughter Elizabeth, called the press conference at Rio Tinto to draw attention to the cause. Elizabeth Smart was 14 in 2002 when she was abducted from her Salt Lake City home. She was found safe nine months later.
“Never give up hope,” said Elizabeth Smart, who has become an advocate for the abducted and missing.
“There is life after this,” she said, as if speaking directly to the missing. “Just being in the same room with your families, and can tell you how much each one of you is loved. Just keep surviving. Do what you have to do.”
Speaking to citizens who may have information on the missing, Smart asked them to report any knowledge related to the cases to local authorities.
“You never know what will make a difference,” she said. “Help bring Elizabeth, Macin and Nikki home.”
Rosemberg Salgado, uncle of Elizabeth Salgado, who has been missing from Provo since April 16, begged for help in finding his niece.
“It has been the worst seven months of our lives,” the elder Salgado said. “If this was your niece, you would do everything to help. Please help us out to find our niece.”
Kevin Howard Harris asked for help in finding wife Nicole, 41, missing from Provo since Oct. 24. She is the cousin of former NFL great Steve Young.
“If anybody has seen anything, even as insignificant as a car coming by your road, it could mean something to someone else,” he said. “My wife is my best friend. We have only spent one or two nights apart. Nikki, if you are out there, I love you so much. Your children loves you. Your family loves you. You are not in trouble. Please come home.”
Macin Smith may have left his family intentionally, and was reportedly suffering emotional distress at the time he went missing. To report information on the St. George teen, please call the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4300.
To report information on Elizabeth Salgado, a native of Mexico who came to Provo for her education, or Nicole Harris, who may have been suffering emotional distress, call Provo Police officials at 801-852-6210.
“We need someone to come forward,” Ed Smart said.
