The search for Brittany Mae Smith
Brittany Smith, 12, of Roanoke County was declared missing Monday, Dec. 6, when police found the body of her mother, nurse Tina Smith, in their Roanoke County home. She was located Friday, Dec. 10, in San Francisco with her mother's live-in boyfriend, Jeffrey Easley, 32. Authorities have ruled Tina Smith's death a homicide, but have declined to say how she died.
Timeline
Dec. 2: Brittany on MySpace: "Whatever! Nothing goes right in my life. HCB ILU (Handcuff Buddy, I love you.)" >>> Tina Smith on MySpace: "Everything happens for a reason Britt. ILU" >>> Jeffrey Easley on MySpace: "Trust me. Everything will work out. ILU 2"
Dec. 3: Brittany on Facebook: "My whole body hurts. Even my bones. Going to the doctor." >>> Tina Smith on Facebook: "God please protect us from the evils of this world."
Dec. 3, 8:35 p.m.: Easley and Brittany leave Walmart in Salem with a tent and other items purchased with Tina Smith's credit card. [ See surveillance video ]. About the same time, someone attempts to withdraw money from Tina Smith's account at a Salem bank. Easley, Brittany and another man were caught on a surveillance video at the Apple Market on West Main Street in Salem about 9:20 p.m.
Dec. 4: Easley on MySpace: "Got a lot on my mind."
Dec. 6: Tina Smith's co-workers find her body and call police, who issue an Amber Alert for Brittany and Easley.
Dec. 10: Brittany and Easley spotted panhandling outside a grocery store in San Francisco. Police took them both into custody.
Dec. 13: Two Roanoke Co. detectives fly with Brittany from California and delivered the 12-year-old to her family.
News conference video | Roanoke.com coverage | National news
Courtesy of Virginia State Police / Roanoke County Police Department
THE INDICTMENT: Easley indicted on capital murder, abduction counts (June 3, 2011)
Jeffrey Easley has been indicted today by the Roanoke County Circuit Court grand jury on charges of capital murder and abduction with the intent to defile. Randy Leach, commonwealth’s attorney, said he had not yet decided on whether to seek the death penalty.
Recent coverage:
- Easley's lawyers to seek facts on trip to California (Nov. 22, 2011)
- Jeffrey Easley gets new lead attorney(June 9, 2011)
- Prosecutor may ask for death penalty (June 4, 2011)
- Roanoke Co. issues statement on case (April 4, 2011)
- Easley indicted on charge of abduction with intent to sexually assault Brittany Smith (April 2, 2011)
- Grand jury to get Brittany Smith case (Feb. 9, 2011)
- Easley: Brittany Smith rode along voluntarily (Jan. 29, 2011)
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Roanoke.com coverage
- Grand Jury to get Brittany Smith case (Feb. 9)
- Easley: Brittany Smith rode along voluntarily (Jan. 29)
- Facebook to assist states in finding missing kids (Jan. 13)
- Brittany Smith welcomed home (Dec. 20)
- Tina Smith remembered for service, kindness (Dec. 19)
- Easley appears in Roanoke Co. court (Dec. 18)
- Jeffrey Easley back in Roanoke to face abduction counts (Dec. 16)
- Jeffrey Easley, suspected in Tina Smith's slaying, scheduled to return to Virginia from San Francisco (Dec. 15)
- Brittany Smith reunited with family after trip across U.S. (Dec. 14)
- Police call Easley a suspect in Tina Smith's death (Dec. 12)
- Missing Brittany Smith coming home; Jeffrey Easley arrested in San Francisco (Dec. 11)
- Obituaries: Sign the guest book for Tina Louise Dyer Smith
- Unfruitful time lapse in search for Brittany Smith concerns police chief (Dec. 10)
- Social media scoured to help find 12-year-old Brittany Smith (Dec. 9)
- Loved ones plead for Brittany Smith's safe return home (Dec. 8)
- So Salem blog: More photos from Dec. 7 vigil (Dec. 8)
- Police: Missing 12-year-old 'in extreme danger' (Dec. 7)
National news
- Nancy Grace: 'Nancy Grace' viewer spots missing girl (Dec. 13)
- Nancy Grace: 'Nancy Grace' viewer helps lead police to 12-year-old Brittany Smith (Dec. 12)
- Nancy Grace: Abducted Virginia girl found alive (Dec. 11)
- Nancy Grace: Cops closer to finding Brittany Smith? (Dec. 9)
- Good Morning America: Brittany Mae Smith's classmates pray for her safe return (Dec. 8)
- Nancy Grace: 12-year-old girl abducted; mom dead (Dec. 7)
- CBS News: Brittany Mae Smith missing: Amber Alert issued for 12-year-old after mother's body found (Dec. 7)
