Jacquelyn Smith Killed By Husband, Stepdaughter, Not Panhandlers, Police Say

The husband and stepdaughter of Jacquelyn Smith, who was killed early morning on Dec. 1, 2018, were arrested Sunday in connection with her murder in Baltimore, Maryland. It was earlier believed that she was stabbed by a panhandler who also robbed her.

Keith Smith, 52, and his 28-year-old stepdaughter Valeria were arrested near Harlingen, Texas, near the Mexico border. “During the course of our investigation, we have developed evidence that Mr. Smith was leaving Maryland, so we made appropriate national notifications, and the Texas State Police arrested him this morning (Sunday) All of our investigators for both Keith and Valeria Smith, outlining the evidence in this case to a judge, who reviewed and signed the warrants for first-degree murder,” acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said.

According to investigators, Jacquelyn was in a car at the time of her killing. She was in a car on Valley Street, Baltimore, when she saw a woman holding a sign reading, “Please help me feed my baby” and carrying what looked like a baby. She was sitting in the passenger seat at the time and when she gave the woman some money, a man approached the car, took her wallet, stabbed her in the chest before he and the woman ran away. She died at a hospital later.

Jacquelyn and Keith were reportedly returning after celebrating Valeria’s birthday when they saw the woman. Keith said, “My wife just felt moved to give her something. So at the stop sign, she waved her to come over ti the car and out of nowhere some guy came over while walking with her. I hit my window and Jacquelyn went to hand the money out and the guy leaned over and said can I thank your wife? I said you can thank my wife and, within that split second, this guy commits to stabbing my wife.” He said the man snatched Jacquelyn’s necklace, pocketbook and wallet before running off. He claimed he chased the man before he heard his wife’s cries and allegedly took her to Johns Hopkins Hospital where she died.

Police said this was a ruse set up by Keith and Valeria to murder Jacquelyn. He even went as far as claiming he would make it his mission to pursue justice for his wife through legislation and told the media he wanted the city to pass a law banning panhandling and soliciting at every intersection in Baltimore, even saying he told the mayor the law should be named Jacquelyn’s Law and he wouldn’t give up till it happened.

Several of Jacquelyn’s friends and family members said they didn’t believe the story but thought it was her husband who killed her. Her mother said she was “overjoyed” to hear the real killer was caught and that since the beginning she believed the husband was involved.

Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore state’s attorney, said, “I’m disappointed that the two alleged suspects attempted to take advantage of negative perceptions of our city. I’m grateful for the collaborative efforts of my prosecutors and the Baltimore Police Department in getting to the bottom of a contrived and disturbing tragedy. We look forward to fighting justice on behalf of Jacquelyn Smith and her family in the court of law.”

Both Keith and Valeria were charged with first-degree murder of Jacquelyn among several other charges. The police did not say what led them to the suspects, stating it was an ongoing investigation. The reason behind the killing was not revealed either.