Missing man's family hopes he's found

The investigation into the remains found near a West Lafayette business is still preliminary, but Steven Smith's family is hopeful their search for a loved one could come to an end.

Steven's Smith family spent many days since he disappeared searching for him. His cousin, Cyndi Miller, led a group in January to appeal to businesses around the Wabash River for information. Cyndi also prayed daily to hear news of Steven.

"Prayers everyday," she said. "Morning, noon, night. Any time it comes through your mind. When you can't do anything else, you pray and draw your strength there."

Cyndi said there will be more prayers as the family waits for the remains to be identified.

"We understand there's a lot of things that have to be done first. We would rather they take their time, do it right, get the right identity. We're willing to wait."

Cyndi believes finding Steven will help the family meet two goals.

"Our first priority is to find Steve's remains and bring closure to the family and then to look forward to bring justice for Steve's untimely death," she explained.

Cyndi is happy with the work police have done to find Steven. She hopes now the search is finished, but understands it may still continue.

"We are very hopeful it's Steve," she said. "If we would find out it's not Steve, we're thankful another family that's been going through having a missing loved one's prayers have been answered and they'll get their loved one back."

No matter the outcome, Cyndi desires to help others in a similar situation.

"In this we've met up with IN Hope Indiana Missing and it looks like something I might be able to take my experience and give to them on a volunteer basis," she told News Channel 18.

Steven has been missing almost six months. Cyndi knows many families go much longer with out word of a loved one. She wants to ease their pain during what could be a long wait.

The family will have a candle light prayer vigil for Steven Monday, May 11th at 6:30 p.m. at the Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse in Lafayette.