CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – Charlottesville police have reclassified the “missing person” case of DaShad “Sage” Smith as a “homicide”. Lieutenant Steve Upman says the reclassification actually happened in December 2016, but there are a couple of reasons they did not release it to the public until now.

Upman says, first, they wanted the family to have time to “absorb” the new classification.  Second, a new detective was put on the case and they wanted to give her enough time to thoroughly acquaint herself with all the information before public release. Upman says there’s no new or particular evidence resulting in the status change. He says there’s just been enough time passed with no sign of “Sage” to reach the conclusion.

The then 19-year old was last seen 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2012 around the 500 block of West Main Street.  Upman says then 22-year old Erik McFadden was a “person of interest” and that has not changed.

Upman says they’re looking for anyone, though, with information on this case. You’re urged to call Detective Wright-Settle at 434-970-3274 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.