Bio

Evan David Smyth was born in 1963. He grew up in a comfortable neighborhood in Wheaton, Maryland. Smyth had a brother and a sister who both moved away as adults to start their own families and careers. He graduated from Wheaton High School in 1981 and became a journeyman plumber. After finishing school, he settled down in Frederick County, Maryland, with his wife, Veronica Smyth. The couple had two children and appeared to have a happy family life.

However, things started to change for Smyth about three years before he was arrested. He lost his job and home, which led to the couple separating. In 2002, they filed for bankruptcy. His parents later revealed that he had become heavily involved with drugs during this difficult time. This period of hardship seemed to mark the beginning of a downward spiral in Smyth's life.

At one point, Smyth's estranged family described him as looking thin and weary. They were surprised and devastated by his turn toward violence and the crimes he was later charged with. Before the events that led to his arrest, Smyth lived a largely peaceful and unremarkable life.

Murder Story

On September 17, 2003, Evan David Smyth began a series of violent acts in Montgomery County, Maryland. The first victim was 21-year-old Tristan Offiah. Smyth and an associate went to buy drugs from Offiah. During the deal, Smyth shot Offiah with a shotgun, killing him. Offiah’s body was later found in his car.

The next day, September 18, authorities discovered 20-year-old Phillip Walker's body in the trunk of his car. An autopsy revealed that Walker had been stabbed multiple times. His identification and cell phone were later found in a vehicle belonging to Smyth.

That same day, police received a 911 call from an unknown caller who hung up. Responding to the call, officers arrived at Smyth's residence. Inside, they found 17-year-old Shauntise Gill dead in the basement. She had been beaten and strangled. Gill was last seen leaving her home with Smyth the previous day.

During their investigation, police found additional evidence in Smyth's home. They discovered blood, brain tissue, and skull fragments in the basement, suggesting another murder had taken place. These remains were later identified as belonging to Kay Carey, Smyth's girlfriend, who had been missing since September 15. Her body has never been found.

On September 19, 2003, Smyth was arrested by the police after they connected him to the murders. He later pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in April 2004, avoiding a trial that might have resulted in a death sentence. On November 3, 2004, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.