TN TN - John South, 54, Mountain City, 17 Dec 1998

TN John South 17-DEC-1998

https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/14964/0/

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TBI asks for public's help in finding Johnson County man missing since 1998

After the story's appearance on Dateline, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public's help in finding a case nearly 20 years old.

TBI officials announced they are asking for the public's help in finding John Smith South, a veteran, of Johnson County.

South reportedly went missing Dec. 20, 1998, just days before a family get-together for Christmas.



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Vietnam veteran John Smith South still missing two decades after disappearing from Tennessee

Vietnam veteran John Smith South still missing two decades after disappearing from Tennessee

John Smith South, Jr.



Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: December 17, 1998
Location Last Seen: Mountain City, Johnson County, Tennessee

Description:

• Date of Birth: circa 1944
• Age: 54 years old
• Race: White/Caucasian
• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'0"
• Weight: 206 lbs.
• Hair Color: Brown
• Eye Color: Brown
• Nickname/Alias: Junior
• Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown
• Clothing & Personal Items: Unknown
• Identifiers: DNA available
• Other: Medical - South suffers from health problems due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Circumstances of Disappearance:
South went missing from Mountain City, Tennessee on December 17, 1998. The previous day, he had made arrangements with his family to decorate a Christmas tree at his home on December 18. His family arrived as planned, but South was nowhere to be found. The doors were unlocked, as they usually were, and the wood stove, the only source of heat in the house, was cold. South's white 1985 Subaru Justy hatchback with a cracked left tail light -Tennessee license plate number 774-HJL- was also missing from his residence. His family considered it uncharacteristic behavior and stated he would never disappear willingly. He was reported missing on December 20, 1998.

Investigations revealed that South had spent the night of December 17 with friends. He had gone to work that day, then went home where he dropped off his tool belt, then drove to a bar. He was last seen at the bar by several friends, but details are unclear as to when he left. He has never been seen since.

Both South and his vehicle have never been located. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are considered suspicious and foul play is suspected in his case.

Investigators:

• Johnson County Sheriff's Department: (423) 727-7761; investigator@johnsoncountysd.org
  Reference Case#: 98-0000

• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: 1-800-TBI-FIND

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: MP14964

975DMTN - John Smith South, Jr.
John Smith South Jr. – The Charley Project
Vietnam veteran John Smith South still missing two decades after disappearing from Tennessee