Bio

Joseph Peter Smith was born on March 17, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a challenging environment that influenced his future. By the time he reached his late teens, he had become a heroin addict.

In the 1980s, Smith attempted to turn his life around by moving to Florida in 1991. However, his struggles with drugs continued, leading to multiple arrests throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Often, he was given leniency by the criminal justice system. He faced charges related to drug violations but received probation or other alternatives to incarceration rather than lengthy prison sentences.

During his life, Smith experienced cycles of addiction and recovery. He got married and fathered three daughters, but his drug problems strained his relationships. At times, he was able to maintain a job as an auto mechanic, but his addiction often interfered with his ability to hold steady employment.

As he reached his late thirties, Smith's life had spiraled further. He struggled with homelessness and relied on friends for shelter. On February 1, 2004, Smith was in Sarasota, Florida, where his drug use was at a peak. This marked a turning point that would lead him down a dark path.

Murder Story

On February 1, 2004, Joseph Peter Smith abducted 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in Sarasota, Florida. At about 6:15 p.m. that day, Smith was in a parked car when he noticed Carlie walking home from a friend's house. He drove his car towards her and intercepted her as she took a shortcut behind a car wash. Smith got out, approached her, and took her by the arm, leading her towards his vehicle.

Carlie was reported missing shortly after she did not arrive home. Her family contacted the authorities, but there was no immediate Amber Alert issued since no witnesses saw the abduction. Investigators used bloodhounds to track her scent, leading them to the area behind the car wash where she was last seen. Security footage captured the event, showing Smith pulling Carlie into his car.

After four days of searching, her body was discovered on February 5, 2004, in a wooded area near a church. Smith was arrested by police shortly after being identified as the suspect from the surveillance tape. He confessed to the crime during a family visit while in jail, revealing he had been under the influence of drugs at the time.

The court trial revealed the details of Carlie's murder, leading to his conviction for murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery. Joseph Smith was sentenced to death on March 13, 2006. He was placed on death row at Union Correctional Institution in Florida, awaiting execution.