The family taunted by a sadistic killer (Part 1/2)

Case 261: Shari Smith & Debra May Helmick (Part 1)
** Content warning: Sexual assault **
[Part 1 of 2]
When 17-year-old Shari Smith disappeared from the end of her family's driveway in Lexington, South Carolina, there were immediate concerns for her wellbeing. Shari had a rare medical condition that could turn fatal without her medication.
But any concerns that Shari’s illness could have caused her disappearance were quickly quashed after the Smith family received an odd phone call, prompting the largest manhunt in South Carolina’s history. As the taunting calls continued, the question remained - where was Shari? And was she still alive?
CREDITS
Narration - Anonymous Host
Research & writing - Elsha McGill
Creative direction - Milly Raso
Production and music - Mike Migas
Music - Andrew D.B. Joslyn
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RESOURCES
For all credits and sources, please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-261-...

[@PrincessHoneyBadger]

Adding "Part 1" and "Part 2" to these titles would be helpful. I was listening to part 2 and was extremely confused.

[@junederksen9205]

I can’t find part 2?!

[@jasonvanderklei2466]

hopefully you found it, if not the episode is titled "The cat and mouse chase to catch a serial killer" if you check out the thumbnail of the video it does say part one and part two but it would be nice to have it in the title haha.@@junederksen9205

[@loistohotelli]

@@junederksen9205Its the next video from this!

[@danrobinson572]

Caught me off guard with an episode on a Friday afternoon. I was expecting for a video on Saturday morning. But not complaining hahaha

[@Cornwalls.best.doorway]

For Shari’s mum to hold out hope enough to prepare an overnight hospital bag is heartbreaking. The cruel, psychopathic manipulation Bell poured upon this family is gut wrenching.

[@JoJoZaka]

it was pretty obvious she was dead as soon as he talked about her soul. she was being delusional at that point to believe she would see her alive

[@Cornwalls.best.doorway]

@@JoJoZaka I agree. As a mother myself however I’m sure I’d be delusional too (I never want to find out!)

[@lapislazuli5035]

@JoJoZaka Sure, but in situations like this, blind hope is all you've got

[@jennifer60515]

@@JoJoZakaYou must not have kids. Any hope that your child was still alive would be held onto with everything you have.

[@thekiwiclipper1113]

Damn that was a crazy twist at the end

[@scratchking3205]

I live right down the road from where this happened. Still so eerie to think of it

[@calgal5752]

Despite the subject matter, I find the narrative so peaceful sounding. Am I the only one mesmerised by the coffee steam swirling?

[@grumpyrhonda6709]

I'm sort of sad that the narrator is anonymous because there is a lot of praise coming from me for him. He reads so well, very clearly and it's paced just right. Kudos to you, anonymous narrator!

[@Cornwalls.best.doorway]

I know what you mean… but… I like the anonymity; I feel more drawn in to the case. Fab channel 🎉

[@nicoleono3981]

That's funny you commented about that because I've watched these videos for a couple years and just tonight noticed that lol

[@lapislazuli5035]

He and Chills should do an episode together, lol.

[@MissVanHelsing]

Wonder why he chose to stay anonymous?

[@Jade_holloway]

I think it's AI narration

[@huntlife]

What a despicable, ruthless psychopath.

[@MissVanHelsing]

I'm recovering from surgery and woke up to a new episode on Saturday morning instead of Saturday night here in Aus. Great timing! Hope you're all doing well out there everyone! ❤

[@brendaredmond4678]

I'm having a hip replacement on October 2nd. I hope your recovery is going well.

[@MissVanHelsing]

@brendaredmond4678 thank you! I had endometriosis removed. Good luck with your hip replacement, take good care of yourself

[@blackkittens.]

@@MissVanHelsing Oh you're an Aussie !! Im West Aussie :)

[@MissVanHelsing]

@blackkittens. I'm east coast :)

[@icequeen9417]

Wish you a speedy recovery 🇬🇧

[@GTGDPUBLICAGENT]

Can you please do a podcast about the 3 missing persons from Sunshine Coast kenilworth Australia. Its rumoured that Derek Sam is the killer and knows of their bodies whereabouts. However, to this day, it still remains a mystery

[@imemovengeance]

I needed new gym content and here you are on my KZbin feed

[@141Lav]

I’m here everyday 😊. Catching up with all the Casefiles. I listen whilst dozing off and if I fall asleep I watch again earlier next evening. Perfect👌 Thank you for your very informative and high quality uploads Mr Casefile. 💯

[@blackkittens.]

Same here. That's what I do too !!

[@christopherholly1392]

Outrageous! Just when my interest was piquing, you make it a 2 parter?!?! Luckily, I'm a fan of daytime drama & enjoy a good cliffhanger- I must know what happens! 🙂 Thanks for all your work.

[@YouvebenHAD]

I love this channel as well. I literally go to sleep listening to his cases he covers. His accent is really cool and makes the case more serious.

[@castortroy6588]

Best channel to listen to whilst in a piping hot bubble bath with candles lit .

[@Ooops.x]

I’m mowing with headphones on.

[@tomhancock6220]

I listen at work it makes my day so much better

[@patedwards8844]

Relaxing on my bed, waiting on a delivery 😂

[@jackies961]

Relaxing in bed.

[@MissVanHelsing]

In bed, recovering from surgery.

[@emma75]

I remember a lifetime movie about this case or whatever channel that made such movies, it disturbed me to no end, I was like 11 or 12 at the time...

[@joemc1960]

I remember this story from Forensics Files. Not sure I can get through it. It’s way too sad. And the killer is pure evil.

[@COEXIST-ny4db]

Thank you!! GREAT CASE. So HORRIFIC! I can't even imagine being her family. So very sad. They're def in my thoughts and prayers. FOR SURE!!!

[@rhondamcewananderson3968]

Thanks Casefile, always great!

[@chadczternastek]

I am super familiar with this case. I first seen it on Forensic Files to show how the FBI used the notepad indents in the writing to see the list of numbers. This was one case that was pure hardcore detective work and forensics. This one still resonates in my head. Listen to the actual calls it's so creepy and heart stopping terror. This case gives me goosebumps when you hear the killers voice calling that poor family taunting them, then when he gave those directions quick and they found the body it was just insane. Imagine the poor girl having to write that note knowing she was gonna be brutalized and killed. This guy had to be one of the true master demon. The evil is so deep.

[@richardcranium3579]

He received what he earned when he was put down through the death penalty. It’s a shame more states don’t deliver true justice.

[@scratchking3205]

​@richardcranium3579 Now some states just turn criminals back on the streets....it's a real shame.

[@Happinosis]

What an awful thing for the family. Terrifying.

[@annberlin5811]

Dont ever go into a car even if they have a gun

[@conniepruitt3086]

My husband always says this too and even though your refusal may get you dead - going into a stranger's car will surely result in death .

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

​@@conniepruitt3086stupid hitchhikers

[@Aryasvitkona]

​@@conniepruitt3086yep. At least if you die where you stand, the perpetrator is much more likely to get caught. If you go to the second location, not only are you going to die anyway, but now the perpetrator has a much higher chance of getting away. To add to this, if you see a persons face when they're trying to SA/Kidnap/etc you the higher chance they have of not letting you live. Especially fight back then.

[@jermainerobertson7824]

YESSS!! NEW EPISODE A DAY EARLY! AND A 2 PARTER!!

[@nicola4894]

Nice surprise with the early upload. Thanks u Casefile

[@texastea5686]

My friend is visiting from out of town ... about to listen to this as I clean my house.

[@MR-pv7qg]

Best channel ever!

[@thisbirdhasflown2554]

wow, excellent writing and narration. can't wait to hear the rest of the story

[@donitakissick930]

Best channel to relax to after a long week of hard work.

[@coreylevi2328]

I love casefile so much I'm familiar with this case and am still riveted and relieved you're going to expand my knowledge with next week's episode. Can't wait 😶‍🌫️

[@amyclare5377]

Lights down... lay back...light a fatty & just unwind while listening 🫠💚 Thank you for the upload

[@Sunflowers__5]

Oh my goodness!! So hard to wait to hear more until next week!!

[@likelystory9660]

The entire case is culty and creepy, including the family. Her letter screams "fundie cult."

[@missk8tie]

Wow. You could be a little less judgmental about a teenage murder victim, an opinion which you've based on a letter she wrote to her family under duress knowing she was about to die.

[@sisterhoney61]

I remember this crime very well. I was in archaeology field school in Conway, SC. My best friend was in Columbia, SC at the time and I learned from her about what was going on back home. Once the bodies of Shari and Debra were found, SLED contacted our professor, Dr. Ted Rathbun, who was a forensic anthropologist. He helped to indentify the remains.

[@aishalea7508]

omg what a bizarre case and now i have to wait til next week!?!

[@veronicaellen4634]

I love Casefile.

[@pikeman80]

If it had been a poor person or a member of a minority they wouldn't have looked into it right away. They would have said that she had run away and would possibly have looked into it in a few days.

[@sdafc888]

I kept trying to listen to this on my Spotify but kept falling asleep as I listen to this at night. However, I always listen get past the bit where her dad thinks she’s pissing behind the bush somehow

[@thisisgenofeve]

Ohhh that cliff hanger made me gasp 😂

[@Maligroot]

Thanks Matey 👍

[@robinplante9560]

I love this channel. But now we have to wait another week to find out what happens.

[@natethepr0isback]

Best channel to chill and sleep

[@moondancer4660]

I remember this case

[@diane5522]

Thank you. Where is part 2

[@kohngoheen]

"Disorientated" is not a word; It's disoriented.

[@KarmaBSwift]

Subscribed ❤

[@judithvanrooyen8410]

When will part two be released

[@kalmangyarfas385]

I can't hardly wait it at the next week!👍

[@craigk2644]

Is there a part two ?

[@marcusjones9084]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWSZhJJ3arFgg9Esi=E8KOhd5ZafOZvwDN

[@susannesahakian8727]

Your narrative and stories are excellent But can you add some visual aids,such as pictures,video,etc Just staring at a screen wh a title gets monotonous.Its good if youre just listening.

[@736693]

If Larry didn’t call the Smith family, could he still have been caught? Would he have gotten to Dawn instead of Debra?

[@missk8tie]

Their big break was the impression of the phone number on Sherri's letter. If he hadn't let her write that letter and sent it, he might not have been caught.

[@736693]

The police were checking the license plates of those who passed by Shari’s gravesite during the funeral or memorial service. Maybe Larry still would have been caught. It just might have taken more time.

[@fredartusa7572]

All I can hear is tazz coming to the ring. Dannnt dannnt dannnnnnnnnnntttt dun uh dun uh dun duuuu..... OMG it's tazzzzzzz

[@736693]

Did Shari Smith help Kara Robinson escape from Richard Evonitz?

[@zombiasnow15]

Why do I get the feeling the Pastor is involved

[@richardcranium3579]

A Walmart now sits where the Smith house was.

[@MR-pv7qg]

Hmmmmmm

[@AngieAitch]

cant believe how many watch but dont leave a like...having being a sub for a while...i like before even listening...i know its going to be worth it x

[@bettywillbrowse]

Where's part 2

[@ChristinasCure]

Ahh so this is the true story behind the criminal minds episode..

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

Evil monster

[@buschovski1]

Damn thats an intense intro.

[@texastea5686]

22:18 ah her letter! 🥺 Romans 8;28

[@johnoneill7947]

Why this dog do this?

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

Larry Gene Bell did it

[@patedwards8844]

Who is this person?

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

the killer look him up@@patedwards8844

[@laetitialogan2017]

Yes

[@richardcranium3579]

Yes. He is worm food now which is exactly what he needed to get. True justice. Not an early release on to parole so he can do it again. Dirt nap for all murderers.

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

he chose the chair over lethal injection@@richardcranium3579

[@yeetnama9094]

Not trying to victim blame here, but Christian families REALLY need to use some damn common sense. I heard at the beginning that the parents would drag their beautiful, young, blonde haired, blue-eyed daughter along to the *JAILS* and sing hymnals to the inmates?!! WTF is wrong with them?? None of this is even Biblically called for or even necessary. STOP BEING FOOLISH AND RECKLESS with your most precious gift, ...your children!!

[@scratchking3205]

What does this have to do with this case? The killer had nothing to do with what you just said and what truly happened is you just wanted to take a jab a Christians ✝️. Smith had great faith and it's good she did. At best it gave her eternal life and at worst it gave her peace of mind.

[@JimmyBeamerBear]

988 in the US

[@byattwurns1553]

Comparing the killer's murder times with bible sections: -3:28 PM | Galations 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for *you are all one in Christ Jesus.*" 3:10 AM | "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth." 4:58