New twist in death of Stephen Smith after Murdaugh murder investigation Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. In August 2015, the coroner told Proctor that he did not agree with the final autopsy results in the Stephen Smith case. "And it's amazing to be a part of that and to see it. Lawyers representing his mother announced that the death is now being considered a homicide Tuesday night, citing a phone call with SLED. Hemlepp tells PEOPLE: "I know there are people who know what happened to Stephen. The current world number three Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) claimed fifth position when the UCI World Cup was held in Pietermaritzburg last year and will be looking to beat an incredibly competitive field to win his first rainbow jersey. Second-generation 20-something driver Jared Esh got his second career Port Royal win. As training partners, we pushed each other to the limit.". Sandy Smith is allocating $35,000 from the monies raised on her behalf through GoFundMe as a reward for information leading (to) the arrest of any responsible party in the death of Stephen Smith, the statement said. Andrews, who first got involved in the Standing for Stephen non-profit, has taken on a role closer to that of a private investigator for the family. Hampton, S.C. (WIS) - New details in the investigation of 19-year-old Stephen Smith's death in 2015 show that while initial reports from . Dr. Michelle DuPre, a forensic pathologist and former law enforcement officer, told Law&Crime that Smith's casket was removed from a vault at the Gooding Cemetery in South Carolina and driven to a private lab in Tampa, Florida. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Two Murdaughs also work for the prominent Hampton, S.C. law firm of Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick(PMPED). New audio and video released in 2015 death of Stephen Smith. Smith spent six years at Radio 1 between 1982 and 1988, and was also a presenter on Top . A wooden memorial on the side of Sandy Run Road, March 22, 2023, where 19-year-old Stephen Smith was found dead in 2015, in Hampton County, S.C. Buster Murdaugh, the son of Alex Murdaugh, listens to prosecutor John Meadors give his closing arguments in Alex Murdaugh's trial for murder, March 2, 2023, in Walterboro, S.C. Tribune News Service via Getty Images, FILE, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This decision to rule his death a hit-and-run appeared to skew the investigation by SCHP's Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) who typically investigate accidents, not murders. The U.S. Supreme Court has thrown out the manslaughter conviction for the man who shot former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith to death in . On Thursday, Sandy Smith said she received a call from an official with the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). 2. "We're not classifying this as anything other than a murder," Proctor said in an audio recording. A source close to the family also told FITSNews that the Beaches have not been questioned again since providing their statements and DNA. She has been searching for answers ever since. Smith is remembered as shy but a jokester and always willing to lend a helping hand. The 33-lap feature pays $5,000 to win. Michael Duncan, the former supervisor of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, told NewsNation's Ashleigh Banfield that a rape kit was conducted on Smith representing the first time in Duncan's career that a rape kit was ordered in connection with a traffic incident. The connection between the two remains murky butAndrewssays that in the documents related to the case she has, the name is mentioned 40 times. Investigators also told people they interviewed that they were not making progress, but were still looking into the case as a murder. Buster Murdaugh, a former classmate of Smiths, released a statement last month denying any involvement in Smiths death and requested the media immediately stop publishing these defamatory comments and rumors about me., This has gone on far too long, his statement said. Or an issue you'd like to address proactively? He passed away peacefully surrounded by his close family and those he positively affected. These baseless rumors of my involvement with Stephen and his death are false.. Steve Smith cause of death was not fully disclosed yet. The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox! The 358 sprints return to the Grove on Friday for one of the Summer Series events. Documents also show investigators fielding tips about the Murdaugh family in the days and months following his death. On Wednesday, authorities in South Carolina announced that Stephen Smith's 2015 death was believed to be a homicide as far back as 2021, according to a press release sent out Wednesday afternoon by SLED. Heidi Franz shifts to DNA Pro Cycling after Zaaf departure, Wrong chainring bolts the cause of Rui Costa's Tour de Romandie mechanical, Antonio Tiberi and Trek-Segafredo 'part ways' after cat murder outrage, By Stephen Farrand, Laura WeisloApril 26, 2023. He was 26 years old. First, she said, they were told it was a gunshot. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 21 at 1 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre in Nanaimo, B.C. As the years proceeded, Smith would also drive for Harry Feltcher andFloyd Swope, before ending his career again in his own cars with financial aid from Leibys Mobile Homes. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, loved ones and fans. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. No cause of death was immediately made public. Steve Smith, one of central Pennsylvania'strue racing icons, diedearly Saturday morning after an extended illness. Many across the U.S. radio industry are mourning the sudden death of the programming veteran, who resided in the Phoenix area. While reporters from all over the nation contacted her last week about her son's story, she just wants the official call from law enforcement telling her they reopened the case. Investigators with the S.C. Highway Patrol ( SCHP) received. Ride in peace, Stevie. Six years later, Sandy Smith Stephen's mother is still grappling with the pain of not knowing what happened to her son. Deaf Smith. Bryan Householder writes about dirt-track racing for The York Dispatch. We were deeply saddened to hear the tragic news that Stevie Smith passed away yesterday while riding enduro motorbikes in Canada. All Rights Reserved. The first tip comes in early August, suggesting swirling rumors of a relationship between Smith and Buster Murdaugh, Alex Murdaughs eldest and now only surviving son. Heres how it works. Whoever did this to Stephen should go to prison. Copyright 2023 WCSC. From left: Paul, Alex, Maggie and Buster Murdaugh at a sporting event. His head was misshapen by blunt force. Keep in mind, this isyearsbefore Paul Murdaugh was charged with three felonies in the boat crash that killed Mallory Beach. No member of the Murdaugh family has ever been officially implicated in Smiths death. Stephen Smith Case: Rape Kit Administered After Death - People Mom and Son, Authorities Open Investigation into Teen's 2015 Death, 7 California Highway Patrol Officers Charged in Connection with 2020 Death of Edward Bronstein, 'Somebody's in Danger': 2 Months After Deaths of Prominent S.C. It said the manner of death (which is either homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined) was still undetermined. That did not happen to my friend. SLED is simply looking at anyone who may have had a possible motive in the case including the survivors of a high-profile February 2019 boat crash that killed 19-year-oldMallory Beach. ", Proctor said that he explained to her that law enforcement officers "had no evidence of this individual being struck by a vehicle.". Our sincerest condolences go out to Steves family, team mates and supporters in this very sad time, Landry said. Then less than a year later L/CPL James told a person who he was interviewing that Smith didnt get hit by a car.. Updated In the year and a half since, no new details have come to light but SLED reports it has made progress and the case remains active and ongoing.. Got a tip for a story? How he died remains a mystery to this day. That murder investigation eventually led to the trial of patriarch Alex Murdaugh, who was found guilty last month and sentenced to life in prison for killing Maggie and Paul on the night of June 7, 2021. 1:40 Steve Smith, one of central Pennsylvania's true racing icons, died early Saturday morning after an extended illness. Smith is revered by fellow competitors and loved by friends, family and fans, who had been following his explosive start to the 2016 season. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7c071e98beaed5bc Six years later, Stephen's case is still unsolved. He was also a key mentor to friend and DGR teammate, Mark Wallace. However, no member of the Murdaugh family was ever questioned in his death and no charges were ever filed. STEPHEN SMITH PROBE: BOMBSHELL REPORT NAMES PERSONS OF INTEREST IN HIS KILLING, Stephen Smith's body was exhumed over the weekend and a second autopsy was performed as part of the investigation into his homicide. His mother has raised more than $80,000 to exhume her son's body to conduct an independent autopsy. Beach died when a 17-foot center console fishing boat allegedly driven by an inebriated Paul Murdaugh slammed into a pylon near theArcher's Creek bridge on February 24, 2019 around 2:25 a.m. Murdaugh was charged with three felony counts of boating under the influence (BUI) in the aftermath of that crash. [ STEVE NESIUS | AP ] Joseph Smith was on Florida's death row for killing Carlie Brucia in Sarasota. Stephen Smith's death was determined to be highway vehicular manslaughter and no suspects were ever apprehended. After a year and a halfI just dont understand why there are not any more answers out of SLED, Andrews said. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The agency did not say what that information was, and there has been no connection announced between Smiths death and the Murdaugh family. "I'm tired of them putting Stephen on the back burner," Sandy Smith told FITSNews. "My hope is that she finds answers that will give her a little bit of peace," she adds. His right shoulder was partially dislocated. She's an investigative journalist from Kansas who has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Illinois, and South Carolina before making the switch to FITS. Legal Statement. We have got to keep the light on his story and to keep the fire underneath other people's behinds to get it solved. Legal Statement. I am who I am, and God did not make a mistake, family friend Susanne Andrews said. "His name is going to be right there with everyone else's name and I don't care who knows it.". Stevie Smith - Canadian Downhill Legend Dies at 26 - Red Bull Eric Bland, the attorney representing the Smith family, confirmed to PEOPLE that a rape kit was performed, but was not tested. Aboard, three distraught young Mexican women who . Send your tips tomandy@fitsnews.com. "The case was mysteriously bounced from investigator to investigator without reasons or notification," Sandy Smith wrote in the letter. No one's going to feel like they're being held accountable if we don't bring attention to it.". "Here she is seven years later, still hanging in there, still going strong, still ready to do whatever it takes to find the answers," Smith family attorney Mike Hemlepp tells PEOPLE. The original highway patrol report references the Murdaugh name dozens of times, and rumors swirled for years that the family was somehow involved. The old way of doing business in Hampton does not exist anymore. His phone and keys were still in his pocket. So far no responses have been received. At the time, Smiths family was given several different theories, his mother told CNN. Steve is alive and kicking and is currently 77 years old. Smiths body was discovered lying on a Hampton County road on July 8, 2015, and his death was deemed a hit-and-run in an initial incident report and by a medical examiners report. It was also clear from the report that there was tension between Presnell and SCHP. Sandy told FITSNews she's still clinging to hope even after Thursday's heart-wrenching news. In September 2016, Stephen's mother Sandy Smith wrote a letter to lawmakers and police agencies pleading for help and claiming corruption in the investigation. World Cup sensation Stevie Smith passed away after suffering a brain injury from an enduro motorcycle accident in his hometown of Nanaimo, British Columbia. His son, Stevie Smith, followed in his fathers footsteps, winning 222 sprint features during his career. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) opened a homicide investigation into Smith's death on June 23, 2021 about two weeks after Alex Murdaugh fatally shot his wife, Maggie, 52, and his son, Paul, 22. Steve Smith on Twitter: "Medical errors are the third leading cause of Prevost. Mom and Son, Nobody Has Been Arrested, A Father's Dark Secrets: Inside the New, Disturbing Twists in the South Carolina Murdaugh Murders, Alex Murdaugh Admits to Taking Up to 60 Pills of Oxycodone a Day Before Murders of Wife and Son, 'Victims Are Getting Lost in All This':Mallory Beach Family Attorney on Murdaugh Murder Mysteries, Alex Murdaugh Cries on the Stand During Testimony: 'I Did Not Shoot My Wife and Son', Buster Murdaugh Sheds Tears While Testifying About Murders of Mom and Brother, Says They 'Destroyed' Alex, Alex Murdaugh Claims Son 'Paul Paul's' Killer Was Angry About Fatal 2019 Boat Crash: 'The Most Vile Threats', Alex Murdaugh Suffered Only 'Superficial' Injuries in Shooting and Will Enter Treatment, Maggie Murdaugh Saw a Divorce Lawyer 6 Weeks Before She and Her Son Were Murdered: Source. Authorities have not accused the Murdaugh family of being connected to the death and Buster Murdaugh has never been charged in connection with Smith's death. 7, 2021 at 4:06 PM PDT. "The Murdaughs, as big and powerful and rich as everyone thinks they are they're going to go on living their lives like nothing (happened)," Proctor said. Stephen Smith was a former classmate of Buster Murdaugh, whose father, Alex Murdaugh, was convicted earlier this month in the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Then, the coroner ruled the death a shooting homicide forcing investigators to search the rural road carved between a tree line and a corn field. The disgraced former attorney was sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 killing of his wife and younger son. Smith was found dead on July 8, 2015. CLICK HERE. Got something you'd like to say in response to one of our articles? Law enforcement officers believed Smith ran out of gas and started walking home before he was killed. Stephen was beloved. The determination Smith died of a hit-and-run appears to be one investigators questioned at the time. Teamaker Steve Smith died of liver cancer from Hepatitis C Another rumor claims Buster Murdaugh and two other boys were responsible for the crime. And ditto to your last statement--RIP, Chainsaw. 9. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island where she enjoys beach life. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Then a beating. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The body was later identified as Stephen Smith. Or sign up for one year for just 49 $79 59, Try your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1. All rights reserved. DuPre told Angenette Levy of Law&Crime that the team has determined the cause and manner of death but would not disclose the information until the final reports are complete. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. He was a nine-time Lincoln champion, including six in a row from 1973 through 1978. "It would repeatedly get to a certain point, then the assigned investigator would bow out, perhaps not wanting to take on Solicitor Murdaugh.". He was a notable influence on all young and aspiring Canadian gravity racers and others around the world. At the time of his death, Paul was awaiting trial after being charged with several felonies in connection to the deadly crash, including boating under the influence. Im going to be honest with you, we are at a loss, even the sheriffs department, everybody, there is nothing and its one of the reasons why I dont think its a hit and run, and Ive looked at the body itself, Im not saying it couldnt be Im not leaning towards that, said Cpl. The spokesperson did not say what information SLED had gathered that led the agency to open its own investigation into Stephen's death. To be fair, police appeared to be pursuing other persons of interest as well and never named anyone as a suspect. Want to contact Mandy? In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Stevie Smith Legacy Fund at www.gofundme.com/23k7fus. Notably, the report indicates SLED agents disagreed the head injury was a bullet wound, and no bullet casings were found. His 150th career Lincoln sprintwin came on May 4 against the All Stars, and his final win came on Aug.3 at Hagerstown against the World of Outlaws. It's also unclear if the MAIT team ever examined Stephen's phone, which was tossed between agencies before it was finally unlocked by the FBI several years after his death. Duncan was told that Smith's death appeared to be a homicide and that "SLED was taking it over." 3.4K subscribers in the DeathObituaries community. Supreme Court throws out conviction for former Saints player Will Smith
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