Chapter 127: Gone in the Dark-The Disappearance of Tera Lynn Smith
18 years before Sherri Papini shocked the world with her kidnapping hoax, another girl vanished from Redding, California, but she never came home. When 16-year-old Tera Lynn Smith disappeared on a quiet night in August 1998, her family was desperate to find her, but they received far more questions than answers. As I revisit her story, I uncover a lesser-known connection to the Sherri Papini case that complicates an already heartbreaking mystery, and walk you through why one man had every reason to want Tera to never be found.
If you or anyone you know has any information, you can contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s office Major Crimes unit at 530-245-6025.
You can also email them at sheriff@co.shasta.ca.us, and the case number to reference is 98-25673.
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2202DFCA - Tera Lynn Smith. (2007, March 9). The Doe Network. https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=2202dfcaAdmin. (2024, February 17). The Disappearance of Tera Smith - Disappeared. Disappeared. https://disappearedblog.com/tera-smith/#:~:text=Case%20Information,What%20is%20this?Breitler, A. (1999, August 15). Tera Smith’s family still seeks answers. Record Searchlight, A1–A4.Brown, C. L. (1998, October 2). Investigators defend tactics in Tera’s case. Record Searchlight, A1–A8.Cold Case Spotlight: Tera Smith. (2022, April 17). [Video]. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/family-pushing-justice-1998-disappearance-daughter-tera-smith-redding-california-n1294488Conklin, A., & Conklin, A. (2024a, July 16). Famed California kidnapping hoaxer Sherri Papini breathes new life into schoolmate’s 1998 disappearance. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/famed-california-kidnapping-hoaxer-sherri-papini-breathes-new-life-schoolmates-1998-disappearanceConklin, A., & Conklin, A. (2024b, July 16). Famed California kidnapping hoaxer Sherri Papini breathes new life into schoolmate’s 1998 disappearance. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/famed-california-kidnapping-hoaxer-sherri-papini-breathes-new-life-schoolmates-1998-disappearanceHart, A. (1998, September 12). Detectives again search Zink home and studio. Record Searchlight, B1–B2.Inside the haunting Tera Smith cold case that shadowed Sherri Papini’s kidnapping hoax. (2024, June 29). E! Online. https://www.eonline.com/news/1404342/inside-the-haunting-tera-smith-cold-case-that-shadowed-sherri-papinis-kidnapping-hoaxKindelan, K. (2025, June 20). Sherri Papini claims ex-boyfriend abducted her in 2016 hoax kidnapping case. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/sherri-papini-claims-boyfriend-abducted-2016-hoax-kidnapping/story?id=122988913King, T. (1998, November 8). Girl’s disappearance strains detectives. Record Searchlight, A-10.Lyon, R. (2023, October 2). The Mysterious Case of Homecoming Queen Tera Lynn Smith and Her Martial Arts Instructor. Medium. https://medium.com/@unquestionablycriminal/the-mysterious-case-of-homecoming-queen-tera-lynn-smith-and-her-martial-arts-instructor-df98810983a6MISSING - Tera Lynn Smith | Solve the Case. (n.d.). Solve the Case. https://www.solvethecase.org/case/1998-5/Tera-SmithPallas, G. (2023, March 24). Tera Smith: Strange case of a Lost Teen Girl. George Pallas. https://georgepallas.com/blog/2022/04/tera-smith/Papini possibly lying opens up old wounds for Tera Smith’s family. (2022, March 18). KRCR. https://krcrtv.com/news/local/papini-possibly-lying-opens-up-old-wounds-for-tera-smiths-familySchultz, J. (2022, April 19). 20-plus years without Tera Smith: Questions remain about Redding teen who vanished in 1998. Record Searchlight. https://www.redding.com/story/news/2022/04/18/tera-smith-redding-ca-questions-remain-teen-missing-homecoming-queen-vanished-2008-dateline-show/7362784001/Still seeking justice 25 years later the unsolved disappearance of Tera Smith from Redding. (2023, August 23). KRCR. https://krcrtv.com/news/local/tera-smith-disappearance-25-years-laterTera Lynn Smith – The Charley Project. (n.d.). https://charleyproject.org/case/tera-lynn-smithThe Associated Press. (1999, August 16). Redding girl, 16, vanished without a trace a year ago. Enterprise Record, 4.Vulpo, M. (2022, April 18). Sherri Papini formally pleads guilty after admitting kidnapping was a hoax. E! Online. https://www.eonline.com/news/1327711/sherri-papini-formally-pleads-guilty-after-admitting-kidnapping-was-a-hoax
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