The Disappearance of Sage Smith and Erik McFadden

**Information is obtained from the Where are they? Podcast and other online sources as cited**

Sage Smith, born DeShad Smith, knew she was different from an early age. She never quite felt like a ‘boy’, and struggled with acceptance.

When she did finally come out as transgender as a teenager, some of her family members were slow to accept her decision. Although to their credit, they ultimately did come around.

Sage had a tough time for a while. She lived with her mother for a bit, since her parents were divorced, and then would go live with her grandmother. Sage and her grandmother became very close, but at some point, Sage would go back to live with her mother. For reasons unknown, Sage would eventually end up in the foster care system

In June 2011, Sage became the first in her family to graduate high school.

In March of 2012, Sage moved out and got her own apartment with two friends.

On November 20, 2012, Sage told her roommate she was heading out for a date that evening.

Only Sage would never return home.

On Thanksgiving of 2012, Sage was reported missing.

A person of interest would emerge in the case- Eric McFadden. But soon, he would also go missing.