After being reported missing for more than two weeks the body of the missing 19 year old Trussville man was discovered Thursday.
A K-9 with the Hemsi Search Dog Unit found the body of 19 year old Michael Smith. Smith went missing on August 21st. Both Chief Chip Laymon and with the dog unit were involved in the search.
“Within 23 minutes of the handler entering the area the K-9 alerted to odor,” said Hemsi Search Dog Unit Deputy Chief Colin Baessler.
Smith's body was found at 11:20 am. Baessler says the dog discovered the body on the edge of the woods off 1-565 near the I-65 exit sign. The dogs used in this search are trained to search for human remains.
“All clues seem to point that this boy might be located mostly based on his point last seen where he was dropped off on the side of I-565 and his phone records in the hours thereafter,” said Hemsi Search Dog Unit Chief Chip Laymon.
Their information was accurate.
According to officials Smith was trying to get home to Trussville so he drove his father's truck. His mother lives in Trussville. His father lives in Madison. The father didn't want him driving the truck without working headlights. So a neighbor drove him to catch his son at a stop light. The father got into the truck. The son then pulled over and left the truck.
Police are calling this a death investigation. Officials say at this time it does not appear that suspicious activity was involved.
A friend of the family told WAAY 31 that she is mourning the loss of the loving 19 year old boy. The mother told WAAY 31 she is thankful for everyone involved in the search because now she'll have some closure.
“My canines myself spend a lot of time in the field just so we can bring somebody home so there's a mom not having to be out there, or a dad, wondering another day where their loved one is,” said Baessler.
The Hemsi Search Dog Unit is made up of volunteers. They train their own dogs, spend their own time and money to do the searches and study extensively to do the job. This year alone they have already been on 50 search mission. The Hemsi Search Dog Unit does accept donations. Donations are made to the dog unit and sent to Hemsi.
