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[[Image:Kelseysmith.jpg|thumb|280px|Kelsey Smith]]
[[Image:Kelseysmith.jpg|thumb|280px|Kelsey Smith]]
'''Kelsey Ann Smith''' ([[1989]]-[[2007]]) was an [[Overland Park]], [[Kansas]], teenager who disappeared on [[June 2]] [[2007]] and was murdered sometime between then and [[June 6]], [[2007]].<ref name="disappeared">{{cite web | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,277813,00.html | title = Reward Offered in Search for Missing Kansas Teenager | publisher = FOXnews.com | date = 2007-06-04 | accessdate = 2007-06-06}}</ref>
'''Kelsey Ann Smith''' ([[1989]]-[[2007]]) was an [[Overland Park]], [[Kansas]], teenager who disappeared on [[June 2]] [[2007]] and was murdered sometime between then and [[June 6]], [[2007]].<ref name="disappeared">{{cite web | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,277813,00.html | title = Reward Offered in Search for Missing Kansas Teenager | publisher = FOXnews.com | date = 2007-06-04 | accessdate = 2007-06-06}}</ref>

Revision as of 03:41, 9 June 2007

File:Kelseysmith.jpg
Kelsey Smith

Kelsey Ann Smith (1989-2007) was an Overland Park, Kansas, teenager who disappeared on June 2 2007 and was murdered sometime between then and June 6, 2007.[1]

Overview

Kelsey was last seen at 7:09 PM CST on June 2, 2007 in the parking lot at the Target store at 97th and Quivira, behind the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, Kansas. Police, other authorities and the national media launched an extensive publicity campaign and search for Kelsey.

Surveillance video from Target shows Kelsey purchasing a present for her 6 month anniversary, which was to be given to her boyfriend, and then leaving the store before she disappeared.[2] Approximately two hours later, her car was abandoned outside of Macy's in the Oak Park mall parking lot across the street.[2] Her purse and wallet were left in the car.[3]

There is strong evidence that Kelsey may have been abducted. Additional surveillance video from Target appears to show someone forcing Kelsey into her car.[4] Additional video evidence from Target identified a suspicious 1970s era Chevrolet truck. Target stores use a large number of video cameras, and these can often be enhanced internally through their Target Forensic Services division.

Body identification

After determining the final pings sent by her cellular phone, a number of search areas were identified. Her body was found 3 days later in a wooded area of Grandview, Missouri about 18 to 20 miles from where she was abducted.[5]

Suspect charged

On the evening of June 6th, police arrested Edwin R. Hall, 26, of Olathe, Kansas. Hall was charged June 7 of premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. Hall has no criminal record but has a juvenile record of assault. Juvenile records are sealed and as so not much is known about his prior offense. Hall's bond was set at $5 million.[6] Police do not believe Hall knew her.

Death

On June 6, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. local time, searchers discovered a body in a wooded area in Grandview, Missouri that was thought to be that of Kelsey Smith.[5] Police detectives reportedly found the body because of a cell phone ping that originated from the area on June 2.[3] Upon report of her death, www.findkelsey.com went offline, and was quickly remade into a dedication site.

It appears she was strangled.

National media attention

Beyond local Kansas City news affiliate coverage, the case has received prominent national media attention, including coverage by national news services FOXNews,[1] CNN,[7] MSNBC,[8] and the Today Show.

America's Most Wanted will profile the case during their June 9 2007 broadcast.

References

  1. ^ a b "Reward Offered in Search for Missing Kansas Teenager". FOXnews.com. 2007-06-04. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  2. ^ a b "Body Found Believed to be Missing Kansas Girl". ABCnews.com. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  3. ^ a b "Police Look for Killer After Body of Missing Kansas Teen is Found". FOXnews.com. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  4. ^ "Surveillance Video Shows Missing Kansas Teen Being Forced Into Car". FOXnews.com. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  5. ^ a b Donley, Timothy (2007-06-06). "Kelsey Smith's body found, search for suspect not over". NBCactionnews.com. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  6. ^ "Suspect Arrested for Kidnapping and Murdering Kansas Teen Kelsey Smith". FOXnews.com. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  7. ^ "Police arrest suspect in missing teen case". CNN.com. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  8. ^ "Man arrested in abduction, death of teen". MSNBC.com. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-06-07.