Parents of missing St. George teen Macin Smith announce last search of the year

Darrin Smith and his wife, Tracey Bratt-Smith -- parents of missing St. George teen, Macin Smith -- speak out about their son's disappearance in an exclusive interview with Gephardt Daily. Photo: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict

ST. GEORGE, Utah, Nov. 17, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The parents of missing St. George teen Macin Smith have announced the last search of the year for their son as the 15-month anniversary of his disappearance approaches.

Macin, the last of the Tracey Bratt-Smith and Darrin Smith’s six children living at home, walked way from home in the early morning hours of Sept. 1, 2015, when his parents thought the 17-year-old was on his way to school.

Macin left behind his cellphone, wallet, laptop, even his school binder, and effectively 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. 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.”

His mother, Tracey Bratt-Smith has talked to Gephardt Daily about almost every aspect of her son’s disappearance, including how intensely challenging the holiday season is. But this November and December may be even harder, as the Smith family faces the unthinkable: the second Thanksgiving and second Christmas without their youngest son.

Bratt-Smith and other family members have posted Facebook updates almost every day to the Help Find Macin Smith page — whose 15,713 members are known collectively as Macin’s Army — in the hope of bringing him home.

Bratt-Smith posted on Wednesday:

16 November 2016

Dear Macin’s Army:

We are putting together the possibly the last search for 2016. If you are local [to St. George], physically in good health and available this Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon please meet at the Historic Seegmiller Barn [2450 S. 3000 East] and we will search the one area that has been a menace to do on our own.

Please wear high boots and clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Darrin’s tried many times to go through the brush and I know if we can get a group together we can rule out this area once and for all. It’s an area that each time I drive by, my heart sinks as I wonder if that is the key that will provide answers before the holiday. So please if you will, join Darrin and I this weekend.

My mindset last year was a whole lot more optimistic as I thought of Macin holding back somewhere to make a grand entrance back into our lives for the holidays. He was happy to contribute to the menu planning and also really, really, really liked playing Settlers with his brothers. This year my expectations are much lower. Perhaps we can find a clue, just a minute detail that can provide some direction.

I know I’ve got some standby and ready helpers out there. I’m so touched by your willingness. I’m so grateful to you.

Love,
The Momma

Macin is 6-feet-4-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has light blue eyes, and he had short blond hair when he went missing. The Smith family moved to Utah from Canada in spring last year, and there have been search efforts for him there, too.

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.

14 COMMENTS

  1. My Heart goes out to the family and my prayers
    If there is anything or anyway I can give you peace or help locate your son
    I would
    On Fb
    Marlena Hondorp
    Kingston ny
    God Bless your hearts and keeping your thoughts at peace
    Your story has touched my heart

  2. I just finished watching your story of Macin, your son, on Investigation ID. My heart breaks for all of you, and I just wanted you to know this. I live in Michigan, I wish I was there to help search for Macin. Instead, I am going to pray for him and his family. I so want his return to you. God Bless you all.

  3. I saw Macin’s story last night and have been thinking of you guys all day, it breaks my heart to think of my son desapearing like this. I don’t believe in aliens but if I were you I would find out about alien abductions, or there is a psychic reader that works with the police of a show called forensic files reach out to her….God bless you

  4. I hesitate to post this but has the area in Palm Desert / Indio? This kid looks so familiar. There are several kids that are homeless that are all around the area that I work. I think the police believe these homeless kids are dropped off, work the streets and are picked up at the end of the day. They live in a homeless compound here in the area. I’ve just can’t let go of this slight chance since I watched the show on him.

  5. My boyfriend also has a son who is 26 years old with similar, if not the same, mental issues. Everything about Macin reminded me of him. He too is extremely smart and can elaborate on any subject you talk to him about. He has no friends and plays video games on his cell phone, probably to escape his own thoughts like Macin does. He is totally against taking on any of life’s responsibities and prefers to live as a homeless person. However, when he is on the road, he is happy and does keep in touch at least once a month with his dad to let him know he is okay.
    Driving a car is the first step to becoming an adult in a teenager’s eyes and Macin clearly was not anxious like most teens are when it comes to learning to drive. Running away may be Macin’s way of escaping his parents expectations of him having to grow up and becoming a responsible adult like his older siblings have all done. He is probably confused and doesn’t understand what is wrong with him and could feel shame. I believe he is out there and I will pray he is found and can get the help that he truly needs.
    On another note, maybe I missed something watching the show because I kept thinking of my boyfriends son the whole time, but whatever happened with that lead with the two girls in the diner that he asked them for bus money? Did anybody go to that town and do a search?

    • Actually, a report release a couple years ago, said today’s teenagers are NOT very interested in learning to drive or buy a car. Years and generations ago, a car meant socialization and recreation, but now it’s all done online with laptops and smartphones. Teenagers prefer to save their money (bike, bus, walk) in order to spend it on technology products, services, and games. Teens even consider a strictly online relationship as “dating” nowadays. It’s a bit odd to us “older folks”, but this is their way of life.

      I personally believe Macin’s skeletal remains will be found in the desert area, in which he was seen heading by a credible witness. His letter implied suicide and his parents said he even wrote the phase, “I am done.” That does NOT sound like a technological savvy (nearly addicted) teenager that wants to live his life nomadically as a homeless person or start life under a different name. It seems clear that Macin’s depression finally got the best of him. Sad.

  6. I watched the documentary about Macin tonight on tv. Afterwards I looked up some info about “anime”. I found that there is a huge convention every year in Anaheim or LA. Has anyone considered the possibility that he went there to attend?

  7. Check south Carolina Greenville.. A restaurant Gus.. I not sure but he mite there.. Seen them yesterday.. Today Thursday is this Dec.. Be careful..

  8. You are so loved Mason ,please if you are listening to the news and social media ,You know how loved you are .understand it’s also hard being a parent, you probably feel no one cares or understands, that’s not true many people go through what you go through, and what parents go through, and mental illness you’re not alone. No one is ever alone.Sometimes we just need a little help to get through the storm.Please come home and I’m sure whatever help you need your parents will be there for you know one loves you like your parents. The day you left you gained a lot of followers and people who love you. Many people now know your story and love you. Just know you are very cared about and loved.

  9. Keep your baby in your prayers everyday, God does answer prayers it may take some time but your prayers will be answered. God bless you and your family.

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