"The whole thing was just so bizarre, like yes, fights were not totally uncommon in their friend group but she said that she didn't really even know this girl who came in, she really didn't really understand what she was pissed about, whatever she was mad about this guy had nothing to do with Sage. So how Sage ended up in the middle of all this didn't make any sense." — Britt
"But once Dean finds out who this guy is, he wants to talk to him. And obviously he can't reach him by phone. He's been trying that over and over. So again, he does what works for him. He goes to Facebook." — Ashley Flowers
"Man, if you're going to lie, you've got to keep your story straight. I feel like this is 90% of the way liars get tripped up." — Britt
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the 2012 disappearance of Sage Smith, a 19-year-old transgender woman from Charlottesville, Virginia. The narrative begins with a party at Sage's apartment which escalates into a street fight, drawing Sage into a physical altercation. This incident leads to police involvement, but the immediate aftermath of the fight does not foreshadow the subsequent disappearance. Sage was last seen by her roommate on the evening of November 20th, preparing for a date. The investigation quickly encountered obstacles, including delayed access to crucial phone records. Sage's father, Dean, took an active role in investigating, discovering Sage had been secretly dating a man named Eric McFadden.
The investigation further complicated as Eric McFadden also went missing shortly after Sage. Police attempted to piece together a timeline, analyzing digital footprints and witness statements, including those from Eric's girlfriend, Esther. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding Eric's whereabouts and his interactions with Sage, with Eric providing different versions of events to the police and to Esther. While initial analysis of Eric's digital activity did not immediately implicate him, the case saw a reclassification to homicide years later, with Eric being considered a person of interest who may possess crucial information.
The episode highlights the significant disparities in media attention and resources allocated to different missing person cases, drawing a comparison to the extensive search efforts for Hannah Graham, another missing person from the same area. The hosts express concern about the lack of progress in Sage's case and the enduring questions surrounding Eric McFadden's involvement and whereabouts. The episode concludes by urging listeners to come forward with any information that could help solve the case, emphasizing the ongoing need for attention and resolution.