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Gavin Smith: Body of 20th Century Fox distributor, who disappeared in 2012, found | |
(1 day later) | |
The body of Gavin Smith, the 20th Century Fox distribution executive who mysteriously disappeared in 2012, has been found. | The body of Gavin Smith, the 20th Century Fox distribution executive who mysteriously disappeared in 2012, has been found. |
His remains were positively identified by a Los Angeles County coroner late on Wednesday evening. | His remains were positively identified by a Los Angeles County coroner late on Wednesday evening. |
He had not been seen since 1 May 2012, and was declared legally dead on 1 May 2014. Smith was 57 at the time of his death. | He had not been seen since 1 May 2012, and was declared legally dead on 1 May 2014. Smith was 57 at the time of his death. |
On 26 October, hikers trekking through the rural area of Palmdale in the High Desert found his body, a spokesperson from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told the LA Times. | On 26 October, hikers trekking through the rural area of Palmdale in the High Desert found his body, a spokesperson from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told the LA Times. |
The cause of his death is still being investigated. | The cause of his death is still being investigated. |
Smith was last seen leaving a friend’s house in Ventura County in 2012. Thorough searches were conducted by police and the community in the surrounding areas of his disappearance, and a reward of $20,000 for information was set to no avail. | Smith was last seen leaving a friend’s house in Ventura County in 2012. Thorough searches were conducted by police and the community in the surrounding areas of his disappearance, and a reward of $20,000 for information was set to no avail. |
In 2013, his Mercedes-Benz was located in a storage facility in Simi Valley. | In 2013, his Mercedes-Benz was located in a storage facility in Simi Valley. |
According to storage locker authorities, the facility was linked to convicted drug trafficker James Creech, who had been in jail for eight years. | According to storage locker authorities, the facility was linked to convicted drug trafficker James Creech, who had been in jail for eight years. |
The Sheriff’s Department said at the time of discovery that the condition of the vehicle, together with other witness statements, indicated that Smith had been killed. They said they had a “good idea” of a possible motive for his murder, but did not divulge any further details. | The Sheriff’s Department said at the time of discovery that the condition of the vehicle, together with other witness statements, indicated that Smith had been killed. They said they had a “good idea” of a possible motive for his murder, but did not divulge any further details. |
Creech denied ever having met Smith. However, the police indicated that there existed a relationship between Smith and Creech’s wife. | Creech denied ever having met Smith. However, the police indicated that there existed a relationship between Smith and Creech’s wife. |
Sheriff's Lt. Dave Dolson told the LA Times that the pair had met and formed a bond at a rehabilitation clinic. They did not indicate whether or not their relationship had been romantic. | Sheriff's Lt. Dave Dolson told the LA Times that the pair had met and formed a bond at a rehabilitation clinic. They did not indicate whether or not their relationship had been romantic. |
Creech pleaded no contest to one count of selling and transporting cocaine in 2012, telling authorities that he was simply a middle-man between drug producers and street dealers. | Creech pleaded no contest to one count of selling and transporting cocaine in 2012, telling authorities that he was simply a middle-man between drug producers and street dealers. |
The police do not believe that Smith had any connection to drug-related crimes. | The police do not believe that Smith had any connection to drug-related crimes. |
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