Family of Missing Gavin Smith Offers $20K Reward

The family of a missing 20th Century Fox executive and former UCLA basketball player announced a $20,000 reward today for information leading to him.

Gavin Smith, last seen May 1 in the Ventura County community of Oak Park, stands about 6 feet 6 inches and has graying blond hair and green eyes.

He is believed to be driving a black, Mercedes-Benz 420 E.

The 2000 model car has tinted windows and a roof rack. Its California license is 6EKT044.

"We believe that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and these detectives are doing everything they possibly can to find him,'' Smith's wife, Lisa, said at a news conference today. "We need additional tips, and we're hoping that the public can provide those.''

Smith's three sons have searched along canyon roads for their father's car to no avail.

A man from Wisconsin told broadcast outlets he spotted Smith and woman in a Morro Bay restaurant on May 7 but did not realize who he was until he read about his disappearance the next day.

Smith, 57, is white and lives in West Hills. The long-time Fox distribution executive and worked out of an office in Calabasas. He was last seen driving away from a friend's home in the 500 block of Kellwood Court, where he had been staying.

Smith has a goatee, a roughly 4-inch scar on his right inner wrist and a 5-inch scar on one of his calves, according to the sheriff's detectives.

In 1975, Smith was a member of UCLA's championship team under coach John Wooden. Smith's family has set up a website -- findgavinsmith.com.

His son, Evan Smith, is a forward on the USC basketball team and has turned to Twitter in an attempt to find his father.

Anyone with more information as to his whereabouts was asked to call detectives at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. Anonymous tips can be submitted to http://lacrimestopers.org .