NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and WeatherNot Giving Up Hope, Family Continues Search for Lauren Smith

Not Giving Up Hope, Family Continues Search for Lauren Smith

Madison County deputies, state police investigators and desperate family members are still in the dark about what could have happened to Lauren Susanne Smith.

Smith vanished last November and those who knew her best just want to know that she's out there somewhere - and safe.

"I keep trying to come up with scenarios that have happy endings," said Emily Carver, Lauren's mother.

Richard Smith, Lauren's father added, "We can't put our finger on anything that would have caused her to take off."

Smith's family came together to show her just how much she is missed.

Lauren's sister Leslie Smith said, "It's not about if we're mad, or if we're sad, or if we're grieving, or any of that. It has to be about whether or not she's okay."

Right before Thanksgiving, the now 23-year-old disappeared after being dropped off for a cleaning job. Police have vetted the few leads they've received with no luck. The family has searched on foot, put out posters, and even posted on Facebook. But it still seems Lauren left without a trace.

"Right up until she disappeared, she was calling people and texting her friends and in communication. It was that last hour when it all stopped," explained Carver.

Smith's family says she is an independent person and leaving on spontaneous trips wasn't out of the ordinary. But she always let someone know where she was going. However, the family says even if they find out what happened to Lauren, things won't quite go back to normal.

"Even if and when we find out what happened or if and when Lauren returns, the world will continue to be different," said Leslie.

"It's like losing a member of your family and not really having a final goodbye," added her mother.

Smith's family says Lauren was very active online, but since she went missing, there has been no sign of her logging in to any website. Smith had friends and acquaintances as far away as Australia so this investigation has had to cover a large geographical range.

The family says while most of the photos out there now show her with glasses, she was wearing contacts on the day she disappeared. They also say the latest video footage of Smith shows her in a dark blue hooded sweatshirt with white writing on it and a knitted cap.

If you have any information that could help find Lauren, please call the Madison County Sheriff's Office at 540-948-5161.

Click here for a Facebook page the family set up.