Smatlak last had contact with his relatives at approximately 4:00 p.m. on January 28, 2006, by telephone from his residence in the 1000 block of Logan Road in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. He said he was going to visit a friend in Delmont, Pennsylvania, but never arrived. He has never been heard from again. His vehicle, a silver four-door 2004 Mazda 3, was found abandoned shortly before noon on February 9, 2006, at Meyran Avenue and Louisa Street in Oakland, Pennsylvania. This was about thirty miles from his residence. The windows were rolled down and snow had gotten inside. It had snowed on February 2 and 3. His loved ones stated he did not have any known friends in the Oakland area. When his apartment was checked, it was clean and there were no indications of a struggle or foul play.