Sherri Papini abduction has striking similarities to cold case

WPVI logo
Thursday, December 8, 2016
VIDEO: Abduction of Sherri Papini has striking similarities to cold case
Authorities investigating the abduction of Sherri Papini are being haunted by a cold case.

REDDING, California (WPVI) -- Authorities investigating the abduction of California mom Sherri Papini are being haunted by a cold case disappearance with striking similarities.

16-year-old Tera Smith vanished in 1998.

Like Papini, Smith was also out jogging when she vanished.

RELATED: Inside the Alleged Abduction of California Mom Sherri Papini

Both went to the same high school at the same time in the 1990s.

Papini even auditioned for the same role as Smith's sister in a 5th grade play.

And during the search for Papini, her husband reached out to the Smith family for advice.

RELATED: Sherri Papini, abducted mother, was 'branded' with 'message', sheriff says

1 of 13
Photos from the Sherri Papini abduction investigation.

Tera's father, Terry Smith says, "He wanted to know just how to get by day to day and also dealings with law enforcement."

But Tera Smith has never been found.

Although no one was ever named in her disappearance, Smith's father has long suspected a local man.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.