“She just had a really good heart. Tera had a really good heart. I think the world is a better place for her having been in it. And I can only imagine how much better it would be if she was still here.” — Marilyn and Terry Smith
Tera's Parents Marilyn and Terry: Still hurting and still living in Redding.
Where is Tera? Zink Knows
I've had a much needed layoff from this field. I'm back as this entry will show you. (In full form) I chose this case mainly for 2 reasons. One being it's mainly a missing persons case. Even though it really isn't as you'll soon read. But the other reason is the only logical suspect in the case, Charles Troy Zink is a total waste of skin. And is an utter piece of shit. And if he reads this and is upset that I called him that. He is more than welcome to contact me. But we all know that isn't gonna happen. Unlike Tera Lynn Smith. I'm not half his size nor someone he can bully. This guy has gotten away with murder and is out there living his life care free. Until now. I dedicated Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing to this entry. It's perfect as Tera's family didn't wanna miss a thing. And because of a low life convicted felon/rapist. They did. I'm gonna try really hard to keep this entry about Tera and her family because that's where the focus should be. And not make it about how badly I wanna knock this sunuva bitch out. This isn't about me at all. This guy just irks me. More than most guys I've profiled. And that's saying something. I have not had any contact with the family on this entry. They seem to be a very upstanding close religious family that have dedicated numerous years not only to searching for their daughter. But to their community as well. And I wasn't sure that my style of writing would please them as I am anything but classy when it comes to low life rapists like Charles Troy Zink. So in the immortal words of the great Judge Mills Lane (RIP). "Lets get it on! Below is a video I created with Aerosmith's song.
Tera Lynn Smith
- Missing Since: 08/22/1998
- Missing From: Redding, California
- Date of Birth: 1/06/1982
- Age: 16 At the Time Of Disappearance
- Residence: 19537 Tarcy Way Redding, California
- Last Seen: Leaving her family's residence at around 6pm on the 22nd of August to go for a jog. She was picked up by her Martial Arts Instructor Troy Zink not long after. (Tera had no other belongings with her at the time other than what she was wearing.)
- Parents: Terry & Marilyn Smith
- Siblings: Sierra, Kyra, & Trevor
- Occupation: Student/Junior at Central Valley High School. Also worked at the Family Owned Oasis Family Fun Center (Tera was supposed to go to work at 7pm that evening.)
- Height & Weight: 5'7 & 135 lbs
- Hair & Eyes: Blonde & Hazel
- Other: Ears Pierced & Scar on her Left Calf
- Clothing: White Sports Top, Shorts & White & Navy Colored Nike Running Shoes
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Tera is the first born daughter of Terry and Marilyn Smith. She was born on January 6th 1982. At the time of her disappearance she was a Junior at West Valley High School in Cottonwood California. Tera was an avid Writer and loved Poetry. She was also a promising Athlete who ran Cross Country and played Basketball. During her Freshman Year she was Homecoming Princess for her school as well as Arm Wrestling Champ. At the time of Tera's disappearance she was working for the family owned business. Tera and her family are practicing Mormons and she was very active in her local church. By her writings you can tell her faith meant a lot to her. Tera has 3 siblings. Sierra, Kyra & Trevor. At the time of her disappearance Tera was being disciplined by her parents. And was grounded for sneaking out. So Terry and Marilyn were attempting to show Tera some more responsibility and the consequences of her not following the rules. Like all parents of teenagers do. Tera was a normal teenage girl wanting more freedom and was having trouble following the rules. Having said that, They did entertain the possibility of her running away at first. Until the facts presented themselves. As you'll soon read.
Details of Disappearance
On Saturday August 22nd, 1998 Tera left her home at 19537 Tarcy Way in Redding for a quick evening jog. She had nothing on her besides the clothing she was jogging in. Her scheduled shift at her family's business started at 7pm. She didn't have much time to jog before needing to come home and get ready for work. Tera's little sister Sierra was home and saw Tera leave at 6pm. Tera never returned home and has never been seen or heard from again. Prior to her disappearance, Tera had been taking Tae Kwon Do lessons at Mue's Tae Kwon Do on St. Marks Street in Redding for around 4 months. Unknown to her parents. Tera was being groomed by the 29 year old pervert teaching the class at the time. A one Charles Troy Zink. Charles Troy Zink was married at the time with one kid. But I'll get back to him. After Tera didn't show up for her shift at 7pm. Tera's mom Marilyn called home and reached her other daughter Sierra. She asked Sierra where Tera was. And Sierra informed her mom that she left to go jogging and told her she was only gonna be gone for 20 minutes. Marilyn and Terry then called their other daughter Kyra, Who was at a friend's birthday party at the time, to come in and cover Tera's shift. Marilyn who left for work at around 6pm herself, then came home and started driving on all the roads she thought Tera might be jogging on. To no avail. There was no sign of Tera anywhere. Tera's parents then proceeded to call all of Tera's friends and even an ex-boyfriend. They left messages and waited. But it seemed that no one knew where Tera was. Then a friend of Tera's returned their call and dropped a bomb. She informed them that Tera was having an inappropriate relationship with her Tae Kwon Do instructor Charles Troy Zink. They immediately contacted the police and then went over to Zink's house. They arrived at around 9pm that night and his wife Dena told them he wasn't home. With Zink not home. They left and went back home to wait for any further news that would give them hope that Teri would be back home soon. At around 1130pm that night when he returned home. Zink called the Smith's. And according to Terry it's the same story he has stuck with since his daughter's disappearance.....
Convicted Felon and Rapist: Charles Troy Zink- Tera's Martial Arts Instructor/Child Groomer pictured here in the late 90s. Apparently this bulbous tub was a black belt at one time. I didn't even know competitive eating had any belts.
I'm sorry, I can't take it anymore. Not to give away the ending here. But he lies and he's fat. And he's ugly too. I've never seen a guy look more like the real life depiction of Wario in my life. And guess what? Dude owns a coin shop. I ain't making that up. He looks like Wario and collects coins.....
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Dude's living the dream I guess. I'm not worried about anything I say about this idiot. What's he gonna do? Roll up me and throw a turtle shell at me?
Newsflash buddy. Competitive Eating is NOT a Martial Art. Raping Women is NOT a Martial Art. Child Grooming is NOT a Martial Art. Ok I feel better now sorry. I was holding that in. Back to the story....
According to "Master Zink", Tera had called him on his cell phone at his other job (He also worked and owned a business called Collector's Corner in The Mall in downtown Redding. (Which is now gone) He was closing the store at the time she called.) on the evening of the 22nd at around 6pm. Just prior to her leaving her home to jog apparently. She asked him to meet her behind her house at around 6:30. (A few hundred yards away) Zink arrived driving his 1976 Dark Blue Ford F-150 Pickup Truck. (There was a large white propane tank in the bed of the truck) She apparently ran up to the window, Stuck her head in and asked him if he would still do anything for her. He said he would. According to him she then got in the truck and asked him for $2000. Accounts somewhat differ depending upon the article you read. Some say he told Tera no. And others say he told her he didn't have that amount on him. But he could get it for her. But he wanted to know what she was gonna do with it. Either way, All accounts follow the same details from this point on. According to Tera's father Terry, Zink stated that Tera became upset that he wouldn't give her the money. So she asked to be dropped off at the intersection of Old Alturas Rd. & Old Oregon Trail. And she continued to jog. (This is the best part right here.) Zink THEN claims he drove up to Hang Glider Hill and PRAYED for 5 HOURS.... 5 HOURS....
There has been some discussion as to whether or not Zink would've been able to even gain access to Hang Glider Hill at that time. A locked steel gate blocked the most accessible road to Hang Glider Hill. However, Authorities did concede that it wouldn't have been an impossible feat either. Especially if you consider he drove a Ford F-150 that has a 4 Wheel Drive. It's important to also note that once Law Enforcement started investigating Zink's story. They had bloodhounds try and track Tera's scent in the vicinity of Old Oregon Trail and Old Alturas Rd and the bloodhounds were unable to hone in on a scent. Meaning it's unlikely she was ever there.
Mileage between Tera's home and the area where Zink claims he dropped her off.
If Tera intended on coming back in 20 minutes, Why would she ask to be dropped off this far away from home? Knowing she needed to be back in less than a half hour in order to change and drive to her shift at the Oasis Family Fun Center. It's obvious Zink's story doesn't add up.
If Tera intended on coming back in 20 minutes, Why would she ask to be dropped off this far away from home? Knowing she needed to be back in less than a half hour in order to change and drive to her shift at the Oasis Family Fun Center. It's obvious Zink's story doesn't add up.
The Investigation Begins
"I know what I'm doing with you is wrong. There is no way to overlook that fact."
In the days following their daughter's disappearance, Terry and Marilyn started going through their daughter's bedroom hoping to find anything that would assist them in the search for their daughter. And after a few days they found a letter Tera wrote to Zink. Tera professed her love for Zink but was also struggling with the situation because she knew it went against what she believed in. It was a lengthy letter and the way it was written gave her parents the impression that Tera intended to either mail it, Or give it to Zink personally. But since the letter was still there. And since Zink admitted he saw her the night of the 22nd. Her parents think she must've changed her mind and decided to just tell him in person. Zink has always maintained there was no inappropriate relationship between the two of them. (So I guess that she wrote that letter for no reason....Yea sure.) Even though Terry and Marilyn knew about the relationship between Zink and their daughter. They didn't go public with the information until October 1st.
Monday August 24th 1998: Mr. Black Belt (Zink) called the Police stating he was being "targeted" by prowlers. And that a Bullet was left outside his home. Authorities stated they were unable to determine whether to bullet and the prowlers were even connected. The hypocrisy is astounding. The asshole targeted an underage student at his "studio". And now that same student is missing. Then the coward calls the police because I guess the prowlers (If there were any) weren't a bunch of underage girls he could try and impress or beat up. I guess a fair fight is out of the question. Wonder if that bullet matches any guns that Law Enforcement might find.....Oops getting ahead of myself.
Tuesday August 25th 1998 The FBI joined in on the Investigation. A Search Warrant was Filed for and Signed. Upon getting the go ahead, Law Enforcement searched Zink's Residence and his Studio. Upon searching his Studio, Law Enforcement accessed a door to a crawlspace that was 8ft high off the ground that was built inside one of the Studio's walls. Upon searching the crawlspace they recovered 3 Shotguns and 4 Rifles. Zink being a Convicted Felon was not allowed to possess any such firearms. Upon questioning he stated they were his "dad's guns". His dad soon arrived at the studio and upon entering the younger Zink said to his dad words to the effect of "They found the guns you stored." (That's grade school shit there. That's the kind of game you play when you know you can't get in any more trouble and you're asking your buddy to take one for the team to prevent you from getting in any more.) An interesting aspect about the guns that were recovered was, All the guns were totally wiped clean. There were absolutely no fingerprints on them at all. (Yep, That's not suspicious at all. This is one of the many reasons I could never be a cop. My report would always end the same way. "And THAT'S when I shot him.") For reasons that are still somewhat vague. Zink's Truck was not listed in the First Search Warrant.
1976 Ford F-150: Same Make and Model as the Truck driven by Zink the evening he picked up Tera. According to the newspaper accounts. Zink's truck had a Yellow-ish-Gold Tailgate with a Black Horizontal Strip in the middle of the Tailgate. And a Cream Colored Line on the bottom.
Saturday: September 5th 1998: America's Most Wanted aired a segment on Tera's case. (I was unable to find the segment online. If anyone knows where I can get a copy. Let me know.)
Wednesday September 9th 1998: Law Enforcement began searching the brush West of Shasta Dam.
Friday September 11th 1998: With another Search Warrant Issued, Law Enforcement searches both Zink's Residence and Studio again. This time Law Enforcement seizes Zink's Ford F-150 Pickup Truck. The same one he drove to see Tera the night she disappeared. Law Enforcement took photos of the same truck 3 days after Tera's disappearance. Upon its seizing, The truck had been thoroughly cleaned, detailed and old tires were put on. Tires that had more wear on them than the ones on prior. Law Enforcement claims they have information regarding the detailing. But were looking for information regarding the tires that were removed.
Wednesday September 16th 1998: Zink turns himself in on a Warrant for Possessing Firearms and being a Convicted Felon. He pleads Not Guilty. He is arraigned on the 19th of the following month. His trial date is set for July 28th of 1999.
Thursday October 1st 1998: The Smiths go public regarding the relationship between her daughter and Zink.
Wednesday October 7th. 1998:
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March 12th, 1999: So being the Rocket Scientist and Overall Upstanding Good Citizen this guy is. On March 12th 1999 while awaiting his Trial for Felony Firearms Possession. "Wario" attempted to illegally dump 10 cats along a rural road in Red Bluff. When a local by the name of Jack Ervin Brown saw what he was trying to do. And he attempted to stop him. So Wario decided to play Mario Kart. Only in real life. And proceeded to "bump" Jack several times with his van. The idiot was arrested the next day.
On June 24th 1999. Zink was found Guilty on the Firearms Violation. 4 Days Later on the 28th he was sentenced to 4 years in Prison. He has since served his time and has been released from Prison. He has largely remained out of trouble and still lives in the Redding Area. He splits his time between Redding and Surprise AZ. He is now 54 years old as of this writing. And as far as I am able to determine. He hasn't spoken to Law Enforcement since the night Tera went missing on August 22nd 1998. I did read where his attorney at the time, Informed Law Enforcement that if they had any questions related to Tera's case. To submit them to them both in writing. So they did. Law Enforcement sent him 6 Questions in writing per their request. I read that he answered a few. And I also read he didn't answer any. I'll chalk that up to the attorney saying he answered a few to make his client look good. But the few that he did "answer", Wasn't in any way helpful to the investigation. Zink's lawyer wasn't under any obligation to have his client answer any questions anyways. His client was never even considered a suspect. Which is insane. Law Enforcement asked to question Zink numerous times and said his attorney could be present. But Zink's lawyer declined. Zink also declined a polygraph as well. Which you should never really volunteer for anyways. This case has some shades of Tammy Lynn Leppert. The last person, Keith Roberts who was with Tammy at the time, Also claimed that Tammy had asked him for money. And he dropped her off at a random location after an argument. And Tammy was never seen again. Only that was in Florida in 1983. Not California in 1998.
I'm not sure how Zink's sleeps at night or can even function daily with this on his conscience. It's probably because he doesn't have one. He has made a family suffer for over 25 years. All because of his own actions. Things he caused. He isn't enough of a man to own up to what he did. It's obvious he changed out the tires to prevent them from matching soil to wherever he went the 5 hours to "pray". I imagine she couldn't take the stress of the situation anymore. And needed to end it. And he got worried. He was already a rapist before grooming Tera. Add a Statutory Rape charge on top of being a known felon. That's probably a few years in prison. Ironically, The cursory research I did on Statutory Rape in California. You can't get anywhere from 1 to 4 years. The idiot ended up doing that anyways over the guns he had at his studio. I could be wrong on that. That's not my specialty. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am. The only thing that really confuses me is why he would even admit to being with her in the first place. Yeah phone records could verify that she called him. But he could've just told the authorities that he told her no when she asked him to come see her. They met in the back of her house. That area is somewhat rural now. Probably more so then. So unless someone saw them together it makes no sense as to why he would place himself with her. Her family didn't know about the relationship. Her sisters didn't. Only one of her friends did. And unless he is lying about her asking for money. Tera's dad definitely thinks he is. Why admit to telling her no? He's better off telling everyone he DID give her the money. That way it looks like she had the funds to actually run away. The fault with this kind of reasoning is that you expect for people to act logically. And they don't. But there has to be a reason as to why he is admitting to being with her. Someone had to see them together. Or there is something else. And Law Enforcement's reasoning for not including the truck in the initial Search Warrant makes no sense to me. I read they did that to filter out bad leads or some bullshit like that. All they did was give him time to see which direction the wind was blowing regarding the investigation. And he got rid of the tires. They did take pictures of it a few days after Tera's disappearance. But pictures aren't dna. And pictures aren't dirt. And pictures aren't whatever was washed away after Zink cleaned that truck. If they got that truck processed right after Tera's disappearance. I might not be writing this entry right now. Is it possible Zink DID drop her off after an argument and something else happened to her? Yes, It's possible. Likely though? Not that I see. All roads lead back to Zink. And he still owns businesses in the area and is living a good life. He and I will be familiar with each other going forward. I promise that. I hope I didn't offend or cause any concern with Tera's family if they read this entry. I'm a different kinda blogger as all my readers know. Every now and then though. I am reminded I am not everyone's cup of tea. And yes. I am definitely BACK!
News Coverage
Missing Posters
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Additional Photos
