Missing man found deceased in Hideaway

FAIRVIEW—A Sanpete County man who owned a Fairview pizzeria was found dead in the Hideaway Valley area on Monday, ending a search that began when he was last seen more than two weeks earlier.

Greg Riley Smith, 53, of Indianola, was last seen Aug. 31 about 2:30 p.m., according to the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office. He was driving a tan or brown 1998 Chevrolet Suburban with Utah license plate S406AR.

The sheriff’s office first asked the public for help locating Smith on Sept. 8. He had reportedly been suffering from medical complications related to a recent stroke.

On Monday, Sanpete County Dispatch received a report indicating Smith had been found deceased in the Hideaway Valley area, the sheriff’s office said in a press release posted to Facebook.

“The Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our condolences to the family and would like to thank all the volunteers, businesses, and the public for their assistance in the search,” the release said.

Smith owned and managed Papa’s Pizzeria in Fairview. The business announced his death on Facebook with a post that read, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved ‘Papa’ Greg. We are taking time to be with our family, grieve, and honor his memory.”

The pizzeria had closed during the search. On Sept. 10, the business posted that it was “Searching for ‘Papa’ Greg” and would be closed. It later called for a day of fasting and prayer on Sept. 13.

Stephanie Schmidt Smith, writing on the pizzeria’s Facebook page during the search, said her husband was missing. “I am very concerned, stressed and overwhelmed because my husband is missing,” she wrote. “He has had some concerning medical issues. I have filed a missing persons report. Will you all keep a look out for him or his vehicle and pray that he is found?”

Spencer Smith, identified by ABC4 as Greg Smith’s brother, told the station that Smith had suffered a mild stroke shortly before he went missing. He disappeared in the wake of another loss in the family, Spencer Smith said.

“We just need to find him so everybody can have peace in their life,” Spencer Smith said last week. “I just can’t lose another family member; it is too soon.”

Public reaction on Facebook was extensive.. Commenters on the discovery announcement expressed condolences and shared memories of Smith at his restaurant.

“Such a sad thing, that man was genuinely a cool guy, he waited on us many times in his restaurant,” wrote Ern Farris in a Facebook comment. “There’s nothing that can be said to ease the pain of a tragic situation.”

A commenter identified as Beth Collier wrote, “Greg is my cousin. Thank you for all you did to find him.”

“In our thoughts and prayers, Stephanie and family,” wrote Katie Lynn Cox on the pizzeria’s death announcement.

The exact cause and manner of Smith’s death have not been released. The sheriff’s office has not said whether an investigation is open or when exactly Smith was found. The recovery release says only that dispatch received the report on Sept. 14.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral expenses and can be accessed at www.gofundme.com/f/help-cover-greg-smiths-funeral-costs.