Charlottesville Police say they found person of interest in Dashad ‘Sage’ Smith case

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - After nearly 13 years of searching, Charlottesville Police Department says it has found and interviewed a critical person of interest in the disappearance of Dashad ‘Sage’ Smith, a transgender 19-year-old who went missing on November 20, 2012.

On the 13th anniversary of Smith’s disappearance, Chief Michael Kochis announced that detectives found Erik McFadden, who is believed to be the last person who saw Smith, in Los Angeles. According to Kochis, McFadden was in the process of attempting to change his name when detectives located and interviewed him.

Smith was last seen at around 6:30 p.m. on November 20 near the 500 block of West Main Street, where police believe she was planning to meet with McFadden.

In 2016, the case was ruled a homicide.

“I want Sage’s family and this community to hear directly from me: we have not forgotten Sage. We will not forget Sage,” Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis said. “And we will continue to seek justice with persistence, compassion, and transparency to this community.”

Before detectives could reach McFadden in 2012, he disappeared, and in 2019, his family filed a missing persons report.

Police have been unable to reach him - until now.

“Recently, detectives uncovered information suggesting that Mr. McFadden might be living in the Los Angeles area,” Kochis said. “While in Los Angeles, CPD detectives interviewed him, and the information obtained is now being carefully reviewed and incorporated into our ongoing investigative actions.”

Kochis would not share any details Thursday about the information McFadden gave in that interview, including why he fled, where else he’s been living, or why he sought to change his name, stating that the investigation is still active and fluid. Kochis confirmed that McFadden participated in the interview willingly and remains a person of interest at this time.

Now, Kochis says, they are looking for anyone who has interacted with McFadden over the past 13 years.

“If you knew him, lived with him, worked with him, or were in any form of a relationship with him, we need to hear from you,” Kochis said. “Even something you believe is insignificant may be a significant piece of information that helps move this case to a resolution.”

Police believe McFadden is still in LA, but may be using an alias, which could be Frank Hargrave, Shiloh Mathis, or Miles Bakari. Despite their earlier trouble, Kochis says he is confident police could find McFadden again if they need to.

“We found him this time,” Kochis said. “We’ll find him.”

The case has rocked the Charlottesville community for years, with Smith’s family and loved ones still searching for answers.

“The pain of that loss remains as profound as it was in 2012, and so does our responsibility as the Charlottesville Police Department to pursue every lead, utilize every available resource, and maintain an unwavering focus on this case,” Kochis said.

The Police Chief says they are still re-interviewing other people of interest involved, as well as reexamining the case with a set of fresh eyes, which, after thirteen years, involves new technology and new forensics.

“We’re looking at all of that stuff,” Kochis said. “It is a lot of work.”

Though the community has yet to find the whole truth about what happened that night, Kochis says he hopes this information can get them closer.

“Sage was someone’s child. A friend. A beloved member of this community,” Kochis said. “Sage deserves answers, and Sage deserves the dignity of the truth.”

If you have any information on this case, you are asked to contact Detective Cundiff at (434) 970-3373 or submit a tip to cpdtips@charlottesville.gov. Kochis says you may remain anonymous.

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