warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Missing Fox Executive Gavin Smith Believed Dead

Brianna Sacks |
March 14, 2013 | 2:36 p.m. PDT

Editor-At-Large

(Gavin Smith/L.A. Sheriff's Department)
(Gavin Smith/L.A. Sheriff's Department)
New evidence now shows that missing Century Fox film executive Gavin Smith is believed to be dead from a homicide, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said today.

It has been nearly a year since the Fox executive disappeared. Police finally got a lead in the case when L.A. Sheriff Department investigators found Smith's Mercedes Benz on Feb. 21 in a Simi Valley facility. That was linked to convicted drug dealer John Creech, who is still in jail, according to the L.A. Times.

"After locating Smith’s vehicle, homicide detectives served several search warrants in the San Fernando Valley," Sheriff's Department Lt. Dave Dolson said in a statement. "Based on the vehicle’s condition and information developed from persons cooperating in the investigation, homicide detectives are now investigating this case as a homicide. Gavin’s body has not yet been recovered."

Smith drove away from a friend's home in the Oak Park area around 10:00 p.m. May 1., leaving behind personal belongings including his cellphone charger and shaving kit.

From The L.A. Times:

   Sheriff's officials also asked for the public's help in identifying "the person or persons involved" in moving Smith's car from the Porter Ranch area to the storage facility "on or about May 8 or 9, 2012."

Authorities have served 25 to 30 search warrants in the case, including Creech's home and Hummer.

The connection between Creech and Smith is unclear, though Creech said he had never met Smith.

Read the whole story at the L.A. Times.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.