Living in LoCo
'America's Most Wanted' Features Ashburn Case
Erica Garman at 8:38 a.m., February 27, 2009 (4 comments)
Erica Smith when she was approximately 12 (Photo by Joel Richardson)
An unsolved Loudoun murder mystery will be featured on the television show "America’s Most Wanted" at 9 p.m. Saturday on WTTG-TV Fox 5.
Erica Heather Smith of Ashburn was just 14 when she went missing on July 29, 2002. Her body was found 10 days later in a shallow grave in the woods near Ashburn’s Beaumeade Corporate Park.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office determined that she was murdered, but officials have not said how Erica was killed. Kraig Troxell, spokesman for LSCO, explained that releasing details to the public surrounding the murder would compromise the investigation. Troxell was able to share that there was no indication Erica had been sexually assaulted before her demise.
This morning, I spoke with the AMW correspondent who worked on this segment, Michelle Sigona. For the first time ever, police investigators allowed the family and AMW producers access to Erica’s private diary, Sigona said.
The diary revealed that Erica had been making some poor choices in her life.
“But teenagers make mistakes," Sigona said. "And Erica was robbed of that chance to learn from her mistakes."
One clue left at the murder scene was an inspection sticker from another country, similar to those put in clothing. It’s been revealed that Erica was expecting someone she knew to be returning from Europe.
Sigona and LCSO investigators are confident that someone who was close to Erica at the time of her disappearance may have some helpful information.
“A lot of the teens who knew Erica are now adults — and some time has passed," Sigona said. "We’re hoping we get that one piece of info to help crack this case.”
Meanwhile, Erica’s parents continue to hope for closure.
“We are still very optimistic that our daughter’s case will be solved,” William Smith, Erica’s father, told the Loudoun Times Mirror in this story. “It’s not a matter of whether it will be, it’s a matter of when it will be.”
America’s Most Wanted has posted information about the case on its Web site, where people can also submit anonymous tips. Tipsters can also call 1-800-CRIMETV with information.
And, of course, anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-0475. LCSO has an anonymous tip line with Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. Award money is available for information that leads to an arrest and indictment of Erica’s killer.
For an interesting look at other unsolved murder cases in Loudoun, click here.
Deal of the Day
$25 Off House Cleaning From Maid To Please!
Maid To Please is offering LoudounExtra.com readers $25 off their first house cleaning, or $10 their third house cleaning.
• View all deals from Maid To Please | All deals
Latest Deal
• $25 Off House Cleaning From Maid To Please! posted: 4/28/09
|
Search Deals and Business Directory |
Your Thoughts...
Are you happy that the school year is over?
Comments:
Note: LoudounExtra.com does not necessarily agree with comments posted below — responsibility lies with the relevant reader alone. Peruse our reader agreement and privacy policy
The murder of a child - what a horrible crime. My heart aches for her family and friends.
I hope with the new information available, the national exposure, and the maturity of potential witnesses, this case will move towards an arrest. If someone knows anything, they should do the right thing and contact the authorities immediately.
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on February 27, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Erica Heather Smith was an Angel and deserved more that what Loudoun County Police reported and AMW Portrayed tonight.
To rely solely on an alleged diary was a huge mistake and could have stymied the investigation of this case. Teenagers are often known to exaggerate and to suggest that everything read was true is just a huge mistake. Teens love to tell stories and write how this wished things were.
What happened to the Carnival that was in town a few days weeks before where 2 Reston teens were stabbed repeatedly? There are so many other leads yet the reduced the investigation to a sticker and a notebook that could have been fantasies and not the real thing. She was a true Angel and its sad some did not take the time know her and report the true Erica.
FOLLOW EVERY LEADS!!!! This child did not participate in what was reported and if this was true it was less than 3 to 6 months were something like this could have happened. So it was a recent activity and new by naive teenager.
Erica, we love you and will continue to fight for justice for you despite the willingness on some to portray something that did not describe you. Oh the twoism of man and the complexity of man that others would reduce to their own perceptions. Sad!
I suggest AMW go back and correct this story!
Erica, we know how you put God first and loved to serve God.
We must not let our culture insensitivity of this beautiful child cloud some people's judgment on how to investigate this case.
What friend would say something like this of her!!!
Erica was more that what was reported! She was kind and had a smile of an angel. If we don't fight for Erica and tell the truth of who she was, who will?
Erica really cared what people thought of her and could not understand people who did not love life and love God!
We miss you Erica. We love you and will never forget you!
Posted by GAPRDDESC (anonymous) on February 28, 2009 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I TIVO'd AMW and haven't had a chance to watch yet. But I have always felt that LCSO has put way too much emphasis on what they THINK might have happened (and trying to prove their theories, which could very well be wrong) and not enough time pursuing other alternatives. And the fact that for years they refused to release information (that they thought might have ruined their cold case that they will probably never solve) is mind boggling. I feel so bad for the Smith family and, if I had the resources, would love to hire a good private investigator so this case could be solved. LCSO does not have the experience to handle these types of cases. Historically they can only solve murders when they are domestic related or if they have a written confession. Again, my condolances to the Smith family and I really hope that they can find some peace.
Posted by qazwsxedcrfv (anonymous) on March 1, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I send my deepest sympathy to the family,As a mother of 4 children 2 of which are teenagers and I myself have had the experience of going through that secretive state and it's not one that you want even think about,But after seeing your story aired here my heart just began to ache for you all. You see my daughter ran away last year during which time she was raped by someone she did not know,it hurt so bad.I can't even try to say I can imagine your pain because I can't, Just know I'm praying for your family's closure because you deserve it and answers as to why someone would do this to your gift from the MOST HIGH GOD. please contiue to remain encouraged for GOD SAY'S VENGENCE IS HIS,AND THAT HE WILL REPAY. THE PERSON THAT DONE THIS THINK THAT THEY GOT AWAY, WHAT THEY FORGOT IS THE ONE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN AFRAID OF KNOWING OF THIS HORRIBLE ACT SAW THE WHOLE THING,AND ONE THING I KNOW ABOUT GOD HE WILL REVEAL IN TIME! BE BLESSED REMAIN ENCOURAGED,AND TRUST GOD HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH THIS.
Posted by mstlburris (anonymous) on March 7, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dont have an account? Sign up!
Post a comment