'Missing': The unsolved case of William "Billy" Smolinski who vanished over two decades ago

CONNECTICUT (WABC) -- One of the last phone calls William "Billy" Smolinski made before disappearing in Connecticut back in August 2004 was to a man who was also romantically involved with a woman Billy had been dating.

Billy left a voicemail telling the man to "watch his back."

Police believe Billy was murdered, but by whom? And where is his body?

Billy's heartbroken parents have been trying to find him for two decades.

Eyewitness News investigative reporter Kristin Thorne steps in to help.



ABOVE: Watch the extra segment, "William 'Billy' Smolinski - From the Case File"

Kristin also tracks down persons of interest in Billy's disappearance and pushes them for the truth.

ALSO VIEW | Earlier episodes of "Missing" with Kristin Thorne

Kristin finds that the puzzle pieces lie across Connecticut -- witnesses who saw strange things happen at the time of Billy's disappearance.

For instance, a young girl said she saw men in the woods carrying what she believed to be a body; a woman saw a white truck matching Billy's in the woods behind her house; and a group of 20-year-olds hanging out in a parking lot late at night saw a man walk into a deserted driving range carrying large bags.

There's a $60,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of William "Billy" Smolinski. If you know anything about his disappearance, call the Waterbury Police Department at 203-574-6941 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 203-755-1234.

If you are missing a loved one, you should register them in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. You can also look up a missing loved one there.

CREDITS
Kristin Thorne | Writer, Producer, Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter
Emily Hartmann | Senior Digital Producer, Videographer, Editor
Stephen Cioffi | Photographer, Videographer, Editor
Rolando Pujol | EP Digital Content, Innovation, and Strategy
Townsend Davis | Attorney
John Del Giorno | Aerial Photographer
Xizmo Media Productions | Aerial Cinematographer
Brett Cohen | Videographer
Bryan White | Videographer
Stephen Nitz | Editor
Mike Janowski | Editor
Cortez White | Editor
Yoomi Chong | Creative Director, Design
Joseph Kollar | Graphic Artist
Lori Steinberg | Graphic Artist
Marilu Galvez | President, General Manager
Scott Matthews | News Director
Kim Dillon | Assistant News Director
Peter Kunz | Assistant News Director
Jim Gorham | Vice President, Marketing
Brandon Nelson | Creative Director, Brand
Josh Hartmann | Marketing Producer
Brandon Cook | Media Manager
Omar Rodriguez | Assignment Editor
Sarah Kim | Assignment Editor
Morena Basteiro | Assignment Editor
Robert Monek | EP Web, OTV Digital Project Manager
Katherine Lavacca | Digital Content Producer
Alex George | Desk Assistant
Adrienne Anderson | Sr. Vice President, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations
Justin Allen | Executive Producer, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations
Rachel Schwartz | Director, Content Operations ABC Owned Television Stations
Luke Richards | Senior Manager, Content Development, Walt Disney Television
Debra OConnell | President, Networks

WABC Television New York, LLC | 2023