Sign up forPEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. So no, I have no answers for you as to why they would have ordered a rape kit for what would be suspected as a hit-and-run, which it wasn't, but I will never understand that.". A SLED spokesperson confirmed to ABC News that the case is being investigated as a homicide. No one's going to feel like they're being held accountable if we don't bring attention to it.". "Stephen's life mattered, too.". The body was later identified as Stephen Smith. 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. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 21 at 1 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre in Nanaimo, B.C. He would not let a car, let alone a truck, get close enough to hit him. Mr. Smith died of cancer, a spokesman for the family said. From left: Paul, Alex, Maggie and Buster Murdaugh at a sporting event. This week: This weekend of racing starts off with a Yellow Breeches 500 program for the 410 sprint cars at Williams Grove. During the investigation after Smith's death, the Murdaugh name a powerful local family known for their longstanding law firm was mentioned dozens of times as possibly being connected to Smith's death, FITSnews reported. Sunday, the sprint cars will get a new venue, whenthey make their first-ever appearance at the quarter-mile Action Track at the Kutztown Fairgrounds for a $6,000-to-win show. They noted the absence of skid marks on the road, abrasions on Smith's body or debris from a collision. At home, in his close-knit Vancouver Island community, Smith was known as a consummate outdoorsman. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division re-opened the case in June 2021, shortly after the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh based on information discovered during that initial investigation. Andrews says that anyone with information can contact either SLED or her directly, and anonymously atsusannesmith5@hotmail.com. This is about a child that deserves to be memorialized and commemorated, and a mother to have support that she hadn't had.". Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 2023 yorkdispatch.com, All rights reserved. Two youngsters got their first career 410 sprintwins, while another got his second-ever win. It said the manner of death (which is either homicide, accident, natural, suicide, or undetermined) was still undetermined. He was 74. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The SCHP did not return PEOPLE's call for comment. To be fair, police appeared to be pursuing other persons of interest as well and never named anyone as a suspect. New audio and video released in 2015 death of Stephen Smith. Published: Jan 12, 2021 at 06:30 PM. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Hemlepp tells PEOPLE: "I know there are people who know what happened to Stephen. He is also a 32- time . Mike Smith, former Radio 1 DJ, dies aged 59 - BBC News This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The blunt force trauma to his head appears as a possible gunshot wound to the first responders on the scene but the coroners office later rules his death a hit-and-run. Somebody out there knows something, she said. "She had no evidence other than that for the statement being put in the report. The win came at Susquehanna (now BAPS) Speedway in northern York County. Early in the morning of July 8, 2015, a motorist discovered Smiths body in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County and reported it to authorities, according to the case file from the South Carolina Highway Patrols Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team, or MAIT. First, she said, they were told it was a gunshot. Despite the mentions of the Murdaugh name in multiple interviews, no member of the Murdaugh family has ever been officially implicated in Smiths death. Proctor made it clear in his reports that he didn't believe Stephen's death was a hit-and-run. There are no information available about Steve Smith cause of death. Or sign up for one year for just 49 $79 59, Try your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1. The cause of death has not been made public . Do the right thing and come forward.. Rebecca Rosenberg is a veteran journalist and book author with a focus on crime and criminal justice. This will be the 10th-and-final Brandon Little Memorial event. "Stephen was not stupid," Stephen's friend told FITSNews. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. References 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. Investigators with the S.C. Highway Patrol ( SCHP) received. They dont care what name is attached. The report. But, while his body was in the road lying on the center line of the roadway, diagrams of the scene show the officer saw no evidence of a vehicle accident. A source close to the family also told FITSNews that the Beaches have not been questioned again since providing their statements and DNA. FORMER Raiders fullback Steve Smith has died at the age of 57 after battling Lou Gehrig's Disease for 20 years. She said there appeared to be missing evidence in the case such as the DNA under Stephen's fingernails, the clothes he was wearing, and the rape kit. ", Proctor said that he explained to her that law enforcement officers "had no evidence of this individual being struck by a vehicle.". This is where he spent time fishing, camping, and sinking birdie putts on the golf course. He located into the Hanover area, eventually settling in New Oxford, Adams County. RELATED | Murdaugh Murders: The Latest On The Boat Crash Lawsuit And Obstruction Of Justice Investigation. The investigation into Smith's homicide got a second wind when attorney Eric Bland took on Sandy Smith's case and assembled a team of experts to probe the killing in collaboration with SLED. Known as the "Black Bandit," Smith also drove late models for a while in the early 1980s. 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. He doesn't deserve that. 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. His car was discovered three miles away with the gas cap off. Steve Smith is survived by his devoted mother, Tiann, sister, Kara, his uncle, Eric, niece and nephew, Myla and Luke, grandmother, Judi, and girlfriend, Caily Schenkeveld. Smith spent six years at Radio 1 between 1982 and 1988, and was also a presenter on Top . The 2015 death of Stephen Smith is being investigated as a homicide, officials have confirmed, years after the teenager's body was found on a country road near the home of disgraced South Carolina . I am honoured to consider him my friend for so long.". SLED making progress on Stephen Smith case; Family still in the dark, Though no suspects have ever been officially named, a family friend says the Murdaugh family is mentioned 40 times in investigative documents. At first, they thought it was a hit and run. The team includes Dr. Kenny Kinsey, a crime scene expert who testified for the prosecution at Alex's murder trial. In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Sandy Smith said she was grateful that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), handing the Murdaugh investigation, and the Attorney General's Office have provided "some closure" in the deaths. He also had injuries to his left arm and left hand. Lawyers representing Stephen Smith's mother have said they do not believe the evidence maintains that he was hit by a car, but rather may have been killed somewhere else and then placed on the road. His death was ruled. Another rumor claims Buster Murdaugh and two other boys were responsible for the crime. Nearly 8 years later, his case is being investigated as a homicide, The responding officer noted there was no vehicle debris, skid marks, or injuries consistent with someone being struck by a vehicle.. It was also clear from the report that there was tension between Presnell and SCHP. He was also a key mentor to friend and DGR teammate, Mark Wallace. "[Stephen's mother] has said it was from a broken heart," Susanne Andrews, the founder of #StandingforStephen, a group that raised funds for the headstone, tells PEOPLE. Someone just left him in the middle of the road to die . Medical errors are the third leading cause of death. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 19 Sprint Car, Steve Smith Sr. is one of the great names on the Central PA circuit with over 260 career wins. Following Killings of S.C. Ngnews247.com have been trying to reach out to the family and relatives for comment on the incident. Its maddening to say the least, Andrews 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.. Smith hailed from Vancouver Island, where he sharpened his mountain biking skills on the rainforest trails of Mt. After the war, Deaf Smith led a company of . Pushing past injuries that led to consecutive sidelined seasons, The Canadian Chainsaw was back in podium form this past April for the UCI WC Mountain Bike opener in Lourdes, France, where he finished in second place. Steve Smith Obituary - Cause of Death: RT @SPEEDSPORT: NEWS: Steve Smith, known to sprint car fans as 'The Black Bandit' and the father of Stevie Smith, has died at th. We've made no secret about what our goal is. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Second-generation 20-something driver Jared Esh got his second career Port Royal win. His mother has raised more than $80,000 to exhume her son's body to conduct an independent autopsy. Canadian suffered brain injury after enduro motorcycle accident, This article first appeared on Bike Radar. Steve Smith, one of central Pennsylvania'strue racing icons, diedearly Saturday morning after an extended illness. CLICK HERE. And anyone who knows anything needs to come forward. He spent several hours last weekend surveying the crime scene on Sandy Run Road. Investigators with the S.C. Highway Patrol (SCHP) received multiple tips in the aftermath of Smith's death linking his untimely demise to the Murdaugh family. Sandy Smith has tirelessly fought for justice for her son, who she suspected from the outset was the victim of foul play. Stephen was sharp and hyper-aware of his surroundings.A toxicology report showed that Stephen was completely sober at the time of his death. His mother has long asked for the unsolved case to be re-examined. Click or tap here to report it. Steve left his mark by winning multiple national titles and winning the overall World Cup series in 2013, as well as three World Cup events. Steve is alive and kicking and is currently 77 years old. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Oct. 23, 2022 Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 11:52 a.m. On a breezy summer's day in 1965, a pale green 40-foot yacht washed up on the Guatemalan coast. There are at least five possible scenarios that would explain Smith's killing including a hit-and-run, he told Law&Crime. ", "But if we're going to be throwing out names, I'm not going to be withholding names," Proctor wrote. SLED's inquiry into the Smith family does not mean its agents believe they had anything to do with the deaths of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. Death of Stephen Smith, teen linked to Alex Murdaugh family, now a Police: 1 dead, another hurt after shooting reported at Horry County bar, VIDEO: Woman facing DUI charges in fatal collision; 1 killed, 3 hurt, VIDEO: 1 injured in Mount Pleasant shrimp boat fire, VIDEO: Former Lowcountry football standout arrested on domestic violence charge, VIDEO: Sen. Tim Scott sets deadline for presidential bid decision, publicfile@live5news.com - (843) 402-5555. She added that Presnell's autopsy of Smith was "very professional" and "well done," and that the performance of a rape kit on the deceased was standard procedure given the circumstances in which his body was found. Its frustrating. Those efforts culminated in the overall World Cup title the same year downhill racings ultimate achievement. CNNs Susannah Cullinane, Christina Maxouris, Alaa Elassar, Dakin Andone and Amy Simonson contributed to this report. Men's downhill world championship podium: Steve Smith (Canada), Sam Hill (Australia), Greg Minnaar (South Africa), Elite men's downhill podium in Pietermaritzburg: Gee Atherton, Aaron Gwin, Greg Minnaar, Michael Hannah, Steve Smith, Elite Men's podium: Gee Atherton (Great Britain), Greg Minnaar (South Africa), Steve Smith (Canada), L39ION of Los Angeles releases first of three new Rapha team kits, Chloe Dygert makes long-awaited return to road racing at La Vuelta Femenina, Tadej Pogacar still on track for altitude camp in Tour de France build-up, Zaaf at risk of losing team licence as roster drops to seven riders, Thringen Ladies Tour bids for a place on the Women's WorldTour in 2024, Leah Kirchmann back to criterium roots and winning ways with Denver Disruptors, Mark Cavendish and Simon Yates abandon Tour de Romandie, Mathieu van der Poel skips mountain bike World Cup races before Tour de France, Shimano sales worse than forecast as post-pandemic slump bites, Sanne Cant back on bike with 60 facial stitches after Paris-Roubaix crash, Zaaf pull out of La Vuelta Feminina, Unipublic confirms.