17 Grisly & Outdoorsy Murder Cases - Investigation Discovery You can cancel at any time. And I- and I started running this direction, ducking down. Scott Johnston: And-- and we drive down about two or three miles. Although it was an extremely remote area, the police reached the location as fast as possible, and the survivors were airlifted to a nearby hospital, where they underwent medical care. After Scott made the ID, police launched a manhunt for Randall Lee Smith. Julie Williams andLollie Winans were found both with their throats cut in the Shenandoah National Park in the Virginia, just a month after Bryson hiked through the area himself. Luckily the pair survived, but Smith was charged for attempted murder and murder of two hikers back in 1981 (mpora.com). Randall Lee Smith did go off to prison, and privately, Tom Lawson hoped he would never come out. And Sean Farmer's doctors told him the same thing about the bullets he took in the head and chest. Melissa Miller: I thought it was one of my son's friends playing a joke. "I think he got what he deserved," Stafford said. A battered Ford Ranger pickup parked Sunday at Bear's Garage, a business owned by Sherman Smith's brother, was the vehicle involved in the accident, according to Sherman Smith. His neighbor didn't know. Lawson and his team went to check the Wapiti shelter -- near where Scott and Sean would camp years later --- because it was the closest campsite to Pearisburg. Naturally, the friends had to stay under medical care for over a month and could only share their experience with the press in June 2008. A Killer Returns to the Appalachian Trail a True Crime Story But as Farmer put his Jeep in gear, the shot he was expecting didn't come. And they did just that before the night spun out of control. Well, when I stopped and got out of my truck, you know, someone walked up out of the creek bank. That was - I was just going through pain -. He specifically asked the warden to do nothing to save his life. One burglary got him arrested. For fishermen like Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer, days don't start any better than this. And - and I can look over, and I can see he's shot in the face. Chris Hansen: And what did he tell you about this agreement? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. My first thing that I thought about was, you know, how far we are away. Randall Lee Smith (June 29, 1953 May 10, 2008)[1] was a convicted murderer from Pearisburg, Virginia. And--. Scott Johnston: It's wonderful. Scott Johnston: The people in the helicopter told me, they're like, "You're in critical condition." "It happened so fast, I was just thinking, I've got to get out of here.". The enforcement action involves the same Chemours Co. plant that has been linked to water pollution in the Roanoke Valley. the Appalachian Trail. He never said a word, he just started firing at us. "Ol' Bo was beside him all the time. Tom Lawson: And this went on for several weeks and we kinda got to a point where we basically just were kind of at a stalemate. Scott Johnston: And I guess, he turned and shot me in the back, at that time. The male victim was found dead at the scene, and the female victim was taken to the Bristol Regional Medical Center in Tennessee, where she gave a statement to investigators and named Jordan as the man who attacked them, according to the complaint. . Randall Lee Smith - Wikipedia Chris Hansen: Now, you thought you had a pretty good case goin'. And - and we - we come down off the embankment and we stop. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. She was with her when she purchased the book. So I start the car. Randall Lee Smith Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I knew then I was still alive and I-- I was happy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "The Randall I knew was not the cold-hearted person the outside world makes him out to be," she said. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. On the other hand, when cops approached Ricky Williams, he attempted to escape in Scotts truck but ended up in a fatal accident that claimed his life. And basically what we found out about Randall was-- is that-- he was very-- shy. He was found unresponsive about 5 p.m. in his cell at the New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin. Smith introduced himself as Ricky Williams of Newport. You can read more about the murder here. I mean, he was out to destroy somebody, or-- or something. I said, "Either I'll swallow, or I'll die." Randall Smith's body was to arrive in Roanoke today, authorities said. Luckily the pair survived, but Smith was charged for attempted murder and murder of two hikers back in 1981. The only leads were items the police found near the murder sceneincluding items belonging to victim Susan Ramsay. "My first impression was that maybe his wife had kicked him out of the house and he was living in the woods," Johnston said. But the police were able to confirm that the gun was his. After Randall Smith's arrest, neighbors wondered what happened to Bo. Nevertheless, from the looks of it, both friends still seem to reside in the state of Virginia and often go fishing together, despite their past experiences. Randall Lee Smith was born on 1954 in Virginia, United States. Sheriff Morgan Millirons: There were skulls and cross bones painted on rocks, you know, enter at your own risk. They have known each other from a young age, and their bond has only strengthened over the years. I think about 'em all the time. A state police trooper, alerted to the shootings, prepared to chase him. And it comes to a really sharp curve in the road. On Tuesday, Smith allegedly struck again, shooting and wounding two fishermen at a spot eerily close to the site of the 1981 murders. He was executed in the gas chamber of San Quentin State Prison on September 18, 1959". Discover Randall Lee Smith's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We probably were the two nicest people he ran across--. They figured he just was trying to impress them. Ron Hamlin: They pulled out behind him and they-- Mr. Smiths-- evidently saw him and he sped up. I feel like I'm just re-living it all over again. And I said yeah.". Lawson found those murder weapons. She died in 2000. Tom Lawson: Actually, it is. If you are intrigued to know more about the details surrounding the crime and want to find out where Sean and Scott are at present, we have you covered. I--I'm holding my finger in the bullet hole right here to keep myself from bLeeding to death. He's blacking out. They wouldn't know that for nearly four hours after he had told them lie after lie, after the gun came out. Smith was still trapped in the truck when Hamlin arrived. Hiking isnt generally thought of asa dangerous pursuit. At a remote mountain campsite, Sean Farmer is in a life-or-death struggle with a gunman intent on killing him. He was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, a sentence that he accepted willingly. Scott Johnston: And then I realized, then, that I was shot in the neck. That round goes in, up, and into the brain. Blogger Mark Kelley suggests bearing in mind that most violence comes from people crossing paths with the Appalachian Trail, not other hikers. Tom Lawson: Was I the reason why two other people now are assaulted by this person that I should have put away 27 years ago. Tom Lawson took us back the scene of that 1981 crime. Hoping just to-- if he was gonna shoot me, shoot me through the hand, just, you know, block it a little bit. He was the son of Randall Ray Smith and Virginia Mae (Rubin) Smith, both survive him. But they didn't know Smith had been released from prison. Farmer was shot in the face and chest. It does not store any personal data. Randall Lee Smith, 43, of Mocksville, NC passed away on March 29, 2021 at his home in Davie County. A state trooper spotted him just hours after the shooting -- Smith was driving Scott Johnston's pickup truck. Is gluten-free bread healthier than regular bread? Whittaker said Randall Smith "was always a good neighbor to us.". A large section of the Appalachian Trail was shut down for weeks, but there were no arrests. As Johnston banged on the door and pleaded for help, Farmer wobbled from the Jeep. And I took off. PEARISBURG -- News of Randall Lee Smith's death Saturday afternoon elicited little sympathy Sunday in Giles County. They were reported missing after they didn't show up as scheduled in the nearby town of Pearisburg, Va. Chris Hansen: Now, is it unusual for you here in these parts to have people reported missing hiking on the Appalachian Trail? On May 6, 2008, Sean and Scott set out individually for Dismal Creek, and while Sean was the first to reach the campsite, he soon came across a stranger who introduced himself as Ricky Williams of Newport. Randall was born in Duluth, Minnesota on October 16, 1946 to Basil E. and Bernice M. (Gidbout) Smith. A motive for the alleged attack is under investigation by the FBI's Richmond, Virginia, division. (laughter). [1][11], The novel Murder on the Appalachian Trail (1985), by Jess Carr, is a fictionalized account of the 1981 murders.[12]. Tom Lawson: He walks out. Then the killer turned his attention to Susan Ramsay. But help is miles away from their Appalachian Trail campsite - a long, dangerous drive down a dark mountain road. Bowles said her sadness about Smith's death is tempered by gratitude that his tortured life is done. "Harvey Murray Glatman (December 10, 1927 September 18, 1959) was an American serial killer active during the late 1950s. Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, 27 year old social workers from Maine, were both also victims of theAppalachian trail murdersby Randall Lee Smith. February 9, 1954 - March 5, 2022. To keep creating Bobby Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay. Bowles visited Smith occasionally, even after she left the neighborhood. I used to be a Web Developer in the Newsroom, now I spend my time in coffee shops researching murder. Tom Lawson: We discovered a-- a piece of-- angle iron, wrought iron that was in the fireplace that was used for a poker to stir the ashes up. The experienced hiker was foundnear the Glen Boulder Trailhead, just south of the Appalachian Mountain Clubs Pinkham NotchHQ. But I guess he figured out he and Bo weren't going to make it up there," she said. No one has been arrested in the homicide. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Randall Lee Smith, completed his earthly mission June 22, 2007 at the age of 59, after a year-long struggle with Leukemia. Following his release from prison, Randall . And survived it. He jumped into the cab, grabbed his keys from the console, placed them in the ignition and turned. Mike Reed found a killer campsite in the Giles County national forest. In early spring of 2008, concerned neighbors reported Randall Lee Smith suspiciously missing from his Ingram Street residence in Pearisburg. Sean Farmer: I was - I guess - so drained. And and - and I'm like, you know, "Go, go, go." This crime-related article is a stub. On top of it, in 2008, Randall was already out on parole and was reported missing by his neighbor, which further increased worries. Mountford had been shot three times in the face, while Ramsay was stabbed repeatedly with a long nail, authorities said. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. And when the door opened up, I felt that cold air, like, whish across my body. Ya know, I-- I made it. Balza was hoping the hike the whole trail. Randall Lee Smith: Yeah. Tom Lawson: Go on record, give it to the media. Check in with them regularly. I- I could actually see the blood, like, just squirting, like a foot, every time my heart would beat. Because we just trying to convince ourselves this is not going to happen. Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions. Chris Hansen: You had to be thinking, "Wait a minute. Tom Lawson: I would be a fool not to. My Favorite Murder - 125 - Bedside Astrologer! Friends Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer say they've hiked the trails and fished the streams here most of their lives. Thanks to their efforts, the suspect was safely apprehended and the seriously wounded victim received critical medical care," Thomas T. Cullen, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia, said in a statement. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. His parents were unable to bail him out and he was incarcerated. Scott Johnston: --with the pedals, gas, brake --down the mountain. She said she hadn't seen him since December and others hadn't seem him since February. Chris Hansen: --keeping the blood inside your body. And I said, "Here, you can have these.". She believes he probably has found peace. I mean, it was just pulsing out of me. A patrolman saw him struggling with a woman at the side of the road and arrested him. Scott Johnston: And-- we were sitting around the campfire, talkin' about sports, and fishing. You are much more at risk by getting caught out by the weather or not having the right kit than you are being attacked by someone, says Phoebe Smith, an award-winning travel writer who has spent hundreds of nights wild camping alone. When Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer were shot near the Appalachian Trail last may, former deputy Tom Lawson immediately had a suspect in mind-- Randall Lee Smith. Stephen Roy Carr shot at the women eight times. Lyin' Randall was lying again. The man was reported missing, and police discovered a note in his truck saying he had been kidnapped. That they were just going to walk up anytime and say, hey, you all looking for us? You know, I was scared. It shouldnt stop you from hiking the trail yourself. Karen and Georgia cover the survival story of Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer and the Glamour Girl Slayer. Smith was paroled in 1996 after serving 15 years of a 30-year prison sentence. And he says, "Is this the guy that shot you?". Chris Hansen: That's the end of the story? But police still didn't know what happened to her hiking partner, Robert Mountford. I kind of bent over to kind of look down between the boards and I could see a red substance through the cracks. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Susan Ramsay had been stabbed repeatedly in the chest, and hit in the back of the head with a blunt instrument. Dont be afraid to stomp on the instep of an attacker or slam a knee into a male attackers groin. Almost immediately, Smith crashed the truck, suffering head injuries that required a helicopter to take him to a Roanoke hospital. Chris Hansen: Now, this would freak me out. And I said, "You just listen to me and I'll tell you when to work the pedals." If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Louise Chaput, a 51 year-old Canadian,was stabbed to death in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. Johnston and Farmer, while not sensing anything amiss as they sat by the fire, each privately wondered why Smith was staying so long. The man threatened to "burn them alive" in their tents, authorities said. Her identity remained a mystery for 55 years. And I was, like, "Oh, you know." Order Flowers for the Family. Authorities at the Wythe County joint dispatch center received the first 911 call around 2:30 a.m. Saturday from two hikers, presumably from the initial group, saying that they were being chased by a man with a machete, the complaint states. The surroundings are all basically the same. the Murderpedia project stay alive. Smith returned to the Appalachian Trail in May 2008 and was arrested for shooting and wounding two fishermen near where he killed Mountford and Ramsey, authorities said. Tom Lawson: I'm flashing back to 1981. But it's actually inside my sinus cavity. Randall Lee Smith Motor Vehicle Anatomy Weaponry Transports Get local news delivered to your inbox! Chris Hansen: Dark out. The Appalachian Trail is a paradise for outdoorsmen: a ribbon of wilderness that runs thousands of miles through mountains and forests, from Maine to Georgia. She brought him meals and stayed to chat. They each drank a Bud Light but didn't offer Smith one. Two hikers met a stranger on the Appalachian Trail and discovered too late he was armed and dangerous. Scott Johnston: I would have bled to death within five minutes. They then drove the vehicle down the rocky mountain road until they reached the residence of Melissa Miller. And-- and I, I mean, I'm steering from the passenger side. The murder today still seems to be unsolved. Smith apparently abandoned his home sometime in February or March, leaving with Bo. I guess behind my nose in-- in here. I mean, we're both healthy, still here. Call 911." Smith was pronounced dead at a Pulaski County hospital about 6 p.m. Hamlin said officers found no external evidence of suicide. Homeowners struggle with discriminatory homeowners association Q: I read the article you. Chris Hansen: You've both been shot twice. And what did you think you were gonna gain from this, notoriety? So it was just, you know, staring each other down, briefly. We were about five miles from any house. He could talk fine. Tirzepatide could become the most effective drug in an arsenal of medications transforming the treatment of obesity. He had-- a nickname: Sherman Smith: Oh, L.R. Ron Hamlin: And I said, "Did you shoot him?" "I hope before he passed away that he had a chance to make things right with the good Lord," she said. At some point during the evening, Randall Lee Smith abruptly pulled out a .22 caliber revolver and shot Sean Farmer and Scott Johnston. His two known model victims were Judith Dull and Ruth Mercado. The pressure was on to find the killer, but police had just one solid piece of forensic evidence -- from a book belonging to murder victim Susan Ramsay. The town of Pearisburg occupies a plateau above the New River. Sean Farmer: I'm just thankful that, you know, the beat goes on. He said he had a master's degree in engineering from Virginia Tech, another lie. Sean Farmer: Once I saw what was happening, I went towards him again. When Sean tore out of the campsite, he says he realized Scott was still back in the woods somewhere, wounded and bLeedingbut Scott saw Sean escape, and was already on the move. Scott Johnston: By the time I was loaded in the helicopter, I was starting to, like, spit up blood. [5], Smith's sentence and his early release were both met with anger by the victims' families as well as the hiking community. Ya know, and-- and I told myself, I'm, like, hang on, hang on. Chris Hansen: Now, I'm not a radiologist, (laughter) but that looks awfully darn close to the spine. We'll hear some-- some more music. There-- there's a small bridge that you have to cross the creek. At one point during the flight, Johnston thought he must have died. Randall Lee Smith was injured in the crash. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. I couldn't hear any other gunshots because inside my head was, like, waaaah, just as loud as you can possibly imagine. He's been shot in the back and the neck, and he remembers thinking he could bleed to death right there. And I- I just stuck my finger in the bullet hole to plug the wound, to- to keep the blood, you know- from squirting out. And they found some bizarre drawings and notes, including this prayer:, "Hail to the guardians of the watchtower of the north. He spent 15 years in prison before his release in 1996. He compared Smith's prints to that print left in the book. Sean is now face-to-face with a gunman who wants to kill him. But on a day as glorious as this one, that crime was the furthest thing from the friends' minds. Now, the police had some solid evidence, but no suspects. We explore the famous Appalachian trail murders.