ST. GEORGE, Utah, Dec. 14, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A seasonal push for more followers on the Facebook page set up to help find missing St. George teen Macin Smith has already resulted in new leads.
Keith Bratt, the brother of Macin’s mom, Tracey Bratt-Smith, announced on Dec. 7 that his aim before Christmas was to reach 20,000 followers on the Help Find Macin Smith Facebook page. That number has been hovering right around 15,000 for most of this year.
Keith Bratt wrote, in part: “I started this Facebook page when my nephew Macin went missing, and I approve those that ask to join, and I approve the posts.
“Obviously with Christmas right around the corner, the greatest gift I could ask for is for answers for my sister, and her family. The numbers of likes on this page have gone up and down over the last fourteen months, but I have a huge favor to ask. For Christmas I would like to give Tracey 20,000 likes, not because a number matters, but I want her to know how many people love and support her, carry her on her hard journey, and are by her side.”
Macin, the last of the Smith’s six children living at home, walked away from home in the early morning hours of Sept. 1, 2015, when his parents thought the then 17-year-old was on his way to school. On Jan. 1, 2017, Macin will have been missing 16 months.
Wednesday morning, Keith Bratt posted: “We are only 1,700 away from the goal of 20,000. I got a message from Tracey this morning that the detectives have received three photos, for her to look at, and new leads are coming in. So many times I hear ‘I wish I could do More.’ I truly love and appreciate everyone who has shared, joined, and posted anything to do with Macin.
“Someone, somewhere knows something, it’s that one share, that one friend you added that could save a life, find a body, or whatever it is that brings closer for our family. We are prepared for any answer whatever it is. We want Macin home safe and sound, and that has always been our prayer. Please continue to share. We have eleven days left to reach 20,000 strong. We can do it. I truly hug and thank everyone of you personally. You have all done so much.”
By Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., that number swelled to 20,092 members, surpassing their goal.
Keith Bratt, speaking exclusively to Gephardt Daily, said: “I felt as time went by, more people were leaving the group than joining. With it being so close to Christmas, I knew it would be especially hard, not having Macin around, and still not having any answers.
“I knew it was a huge request to push for 20,000 but that was my goal. I had good friends, and family say, that is too aggressive as a goal. I know I say it all the time, but Macin’s Army is incredible, and have supported and helped Tracey and our family beyond words.”
Macin left behind his cellphone, wallet, laptop, even his school binder, and vanished without a trace.
Since that day, Macin’s family and friends have had no solid evidence that Macin is still alive. The family has worked with professional search organization Red Rock Search and Rescue and police to bring him home. A search last month of a particular rugged area in St. George yielded the same results as all the other searches: nothing.
There is even a $10,000 reward in place, offered for information leading to his safe return. In January, Macin’s story will be featured on the Investigation Discovery Channel documentary series “Disappeared.”
Bratt-Smith and other family members have posted Facebook updates almost every day to the Help Find Macin Smith page — whose members are known collectively as Macin’s Army — in the hope of bringing him home.
Macin did leave a note, which his parents discovered a week later folded inside his wallet. They have not released the contents, preferring to say the note contained an “intent,” which led them to believe he may have planned to harm himself.
Anyone with information about Macin is asked to call the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4300, or David Cummings at RRSAR at 702-787-4068.
To watch Bill Gephardt’s August interview with Tracey Bratt-Smith and Darrin Smith, click below.
Isn’t it time for the police to focus on justice for Macin and start investigating the parents who haven’t cooperated, including submitting to polygraphs using a lame excuse, hindering searches, and providing conflicting and false accounts leading up to the disappearance?
How about you shut the hell up. You have no freaking idea you lame excuse of a human being.
We have already been investigated and have been in full cooperation with the SGPD George and have been cleared.
Don’t let ignorant people hurt you and your family! Its none of their business. You are hurting enough as it is. My family went through the same thing with my 21 year old brother in 1991-1992! I pray you get closure soon!
Thank you Stephanie. I’m so sorry you had to live through the same hell but perhaps that makes us family. Big hugs.
Hi. This is Melanie. First let me say that as of two hours ago, we have J safely with us. That’s the tl;dr of this post.
For those who want more detail: Thank you so much for all your prayers, shares, suggestions and comments. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, who provided food and other support to our family during this excruciating five weeks.
Three days ago Summer and I were able to track some activities online that led us to believe we could pin down a location. Summer and I traveled out of state two days ago chasing this lead. We tried very hard to be in contact and work with the FBI, local police and the police in the area where we had tracked J. We found that we had very little support from national or local enforcement and luckily we did not need heavy police presence. We were able to contact J and remove J from the situation.
We have J with us and will travel back to Florida in the morning.
This is all the information I’m prepared to share at this time. Again, thank you all very much.
This about a boy that disappeared just exactly like Macin did you might want to get a hold of his parents they just found him in Texas.
What are you talking about?
Fantastic news for this family. Macin’s computer and phone have been screened multiple times by two different organizations and it has lead to no credible leads thus far.
Hopefully he’ll turn up but if he was “intent” on harming himself he could be in 100’s of canyons within 20 miles that someone will literally have to stumble across his body. Let’s just hop he comes home
We are hoping for any/all answers come what may. It is overwhelming the area in need of searching but Red Rock SAR and the community is continually ruling out areas.
I know its personal and probably very disrespectful to ask, but… would the parents be willing to share the note Macin left in his wallet? Perhaps the content may give some clues to the 20,000+ people willing to help. Someone may understand his words in a different way and it could result in more clues. I dont mean to pry, but lets give that a try.
Thank you for being one of the 20,000 followers on Macin’s page. I’ve been very protective of Macin’s note as it does contain his most precious feelings. Those authorities and professionals that have been trained in the investigative techniques have a copy. Most of our family hasn’t even read it, nor have they asked. In hopes that he will return, I don’t want him to feel violated with plastering his note all over the internet. It’s what I think he would want.
Tracey, you sweet mom! Prayers for you and your family. I hope you feel the prayers of so many of us that are pulling for you and that you might be lifted during this horrible time. I don’t understand why some people have such awful things happen to them in their life it breaks my heart. Hugs
Thank you Abby
Sometimes, law enforcement intentionally keeps some info from the general public to aid in confirming/dismissing tips. That may also be a factor to keeping his note confidential.
Ms tracey
I just watched your story on the ID channel. My thoughts kept thinking he completed 11 grade in Canada any chance he may have went back there? Maybe staying with an old friend ( i know u said he didnt have many, but it would only take 1 friend- maybe a girl to keep him hidden)
I don’t understand why people write such hurtful comments to a family who already is going thru so much pain……………have a heart folks………..
I am wondering if tracking dogs were able to track what direction he left? also how many days or weeks does scent stay so dog can track……..