Missing in 2006: Donald D. Smatlak, North Versailles, Pennsylvania

I found this article and photo on the Project Jason forum (http://www.truckingboards.com/trucking/upload/showthread.php?t=17046). The original can be seen at http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review...h/s_422447.html.

Missing man's car recovered in Oakland By Jill King
Greenwood TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, February 10, 2006 The mystery surrounding the
disappearance of a North Versailles man intensified Thursday when someone found
his car parked on an Oakland street. Donald D. Smatlak, 25, hasn't been heard
from since he called his parents about 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 and arranged to have
dinner with them the next day at their home in North Huntingdon, Westmoreland
County. Smatlak, who graduated last summer from the University of Pittsburgh
with a criminal justice degree, recently lost his job working in the produce
section at the North Versailles Giant Eagle on Lincoln Highway, said township
police Chief James Comunale. It's too soon to say whether Smatlak was the victim
of foul play, the chief said. "We really can't speculate,'' Comunale said.
"Could he have just gone on vacation and not told anyone? Maybe. But we found
his car and it wasn't at the airport.'' The silver Mazda was found parked near
the intersection of Meyran Avenue and Louisa Street in Oakland shortly before
noon, Comunale said. It was reported by someone who had seen a news report about
Smatlak's disappearance. Detectives hadn't processed the car as of yesterday
evening, Comunale said, and it was not clear whether there were any clues inside
that could lead investigators to the missing man. Smatlak's parents, Linda and
Don Smatlak, could not be reached for comment yesterday. Comunale said
detectives are interviewing neighbors, friends, relatives and former co-workers
but have not uncovered anything suspicious. Allegheny County police also are
investigating. "He appears to be a completely normal person that wasn't involved
in anything that might have gotten him into trouble,'' Comunale said. A manager
at the Giant Eagle where Smatlak worked declined comment. Smatlak is white, 6
feet tall, weighs 230 pounds, and has short, light brown hair and hazel eyes. He
has a scar on his lower lip and a tattoo of a cross on the back of his right
ankle. Anyone with information may call North Versailles police at 412-823-1111
or Allegheny County police at 412-473-3000. Jill King Greenwood can be reached
at jgreenwood@tribweb.com or
412-380-5602.