COLUMBIA, S.C. — Days after officials declared the death of Stephen Smith a homicide after eight years, News 19's Andrea Mock spoke with Eric Bland, who is now representing the Smith family.
Stephen Smith was found dead along a rural Lowcountry road in South Carolina nearly eight years ago. This week, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced they are investigating his death as a homicide -- not as a hit-and-run as previously stated in his autopsy.
In a one-on-one interview with Andrea Mock, Bland said the family is moving forward with plans for a second, independent autopsy, possibly in New York, with SLED investigators present.
Bland said he expects to have a judge's approval to exhume Smith's body in the next two weeks. He said SLED investor will be present for both the exhumation and autopsy.
We have retained Michelle P. DuPre, who is a credentialed, fully credentialed expert witness in pathology," Bland said. "She has exhumed many bodies in the past.
Meanwhile SLED tells News 19 they have now assigned more Lowcountry agents to this case in hopes that people may now be more willing to speak freely.
Anyone with information is asked to call SLED at (803) 737-9000 and ask for the Investigative Services Department or contact Crimestoppers anonymously in any of the following ways:
- Call 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).
- Use the P3 Tips mobile app.
- LOG ON to www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a Tip” tab.