Neshoba County first responder were out in force Friday following a fresh lead in the case of a man missing for more than two years. Bruce Smith, 34, of Philadelphia, was last seen April 8, 2017 at the intersection of Kosciusko Road and Robin Hood Circle, wearing a dark pullover and navy-blue pants.
Neshoba County Sheriff Tommy Waddell said deputies, firemen and other emergency personnel searched the canal running east of Highway 45 Friday as a new lead in the case developed.
“That’s what we’re following up on,” he said. “It’s just a lead we’re following up on.”
Since Smith’s disappearance more than two years ago, Waddell said Neshoba County deputies have followed dozens of leads, tracing every possible avenue that could bring them closer to finding new information about the missing man. However, he said, the leads often didn’t pan out.
“We have followed up on a lot of leads, and nothing has come of it,” he said.
By Friday afternoon, the new lead hadn’t uncovered any new information, but Waddell said officers were not giving up. Further investigation still needed to be done.
Bruce Smith is described as being between 5-foot-7-inches and 5-foot-9-inches, 130-150 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has a tattoo on his right arm the reads, “Redneck,” and a tattoo on his left arm that reads, “Romeo.”
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Smith’s location. Anyone who sees Smith or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department at 601-656-1414 or Philadelphia Police Department at 601-656-2131.
