Susan Smith Case Summary

The combination of two missing young brothers, an unaccounted for maroon Mazda Protégé, kidnapping allegations, and a heartbroken mother's televised dramatic plea for her children’s rescue, lead to an immediate public outcry for answers and sent the media into an utter frenzy. The case soon escalated further as the previous claim on October 25, 1994, of a carjacking and kidnapping incident transpired through the catalyst of a confession given nine days later into a case of the double homicide of 3-year-old Michael Daniel Smith and 14-month old Alexander Tyler Smith. Multiple aspects of this case are thought-provoking, to say the least, although the all-consuming question on everyone’s mind is who would commit such a heinous crime against such vulnerable defenseless victims? To the

Susan worked as a secretary for this company and was quick to cross inappropriate work boundaries by starting up a relationship with Mr. Findlay. The relationship began with dates and consistent interactions and became intimate shortly after. Although before a serious steady relationship was formed, Tom decided to write a letter outlining how he cannot act in the capacity of a father to her children and therefore wanted to discontinue seeing Susan. This letter was instrumental into Susan’s spiral into a state she referred to herself as “complete irrationality”. On the day of the crime, Susan was internally dealing with high stress and anxiety obsessing over the letter from Tom and it resulted in her being unable to complete her day at work and therefore she left midway through her shift. Following afterward, she left to pick up her sons from daycare. In the parking lot of the daycare, Susan paused to talk about her issues with a close friend of hers. She then decided she wanted to visit Tom and explain herself and attempt to salvage their relationship. Tom was