Neither had medical insurance, and Scott's truck was a total loss. He was the son of Randall Ray Smith and Virginia Mae (Rubin) Smith, both survive him. As he was being rolled into surgery the night he was shot, Scott Johnston was shown a picture of Smith. Tom Lawson: When we shut that trail down, we caught holy "you know what.". And be thankful for all the things you have, because it could be taken from you in a split-second. Slow down." Balza was hoping the hike the whole trail. She played a massive role in saving Scott and Seans lives as she tended to their injuries, offered them first aid, and even called 911 for help. He could talk fine. He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, who were killed while hiking the Appalachian Trail, in May 1981. And they were fishing together. And when Randall Lee Smith went on trial for his latest crimes on the Appalachian Traileveryone hoped they finally would get some answers. Monsters Among Us: Randall Lee Smith *Appalachian Trial Murders* Two fisherman were shot on the Appalachian Trail by Randall Lee Smith. Dont be afraid to stomp on the instep of an attacker or slam a knee into a male attackers groin. And I- I just stuck my finger in the bullet hole to plug the wound, to- to keep the blood, you know- from squirting out. Read the transcript here. True to form, that note about being kidnapped was just another lie. And on this day, there was something else hunting out there among the towering hardwoods and tangled brush: Another, even more deadly predator. He's been shot in the back and the neck, and he remembers thinking he could bleed to death right there. Randall Lee Smith Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family No one had kidnapped Smith, he had just left town and had driven to South Carolina. Sean and Scott say an unwritten rule of the trail is to offer aid and friendship to fellow hikers and fishermen. Only later would they discover that this was not the first time two innocent hikers were viciously attacked on this part of the Appalachian Trail. I was going to go down to the road. Chris Hansen: How much pressure was on you to solve this case and get that Appalachian Trail back open? Well, I- I felt around my neck. Tom Lawson: I'm flashing back to 1981. The Victims Susan Ramsay & Robert Mountford Sean Farmer & Scott Johnston Links: Mpora Why were you so brutal? On top of it, in 2008, Randall was already out on parole and was reported missing by his neighbor, which further increased worries. Current uncertainty about the circumstances of Smith's death leaves some wondering whether he was released prematurely from Roanoke Memorial in Roanoke. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A motive for the slayings was never established. Soon, Scott and Sean would find out that what happened to them had happened before in circumstances that were eerily similar: two campers attacked for no apparent reason, in the same woods, at virtually the same location. He said, "No, I didn't shoot nobody." Smith was paroled in 1996 after serving 15 years of a 30-year prison sentence. It rings your head unbelievably. Glatman was arrested in 1958, caught in the act of kidnapping what would have been his fourth known murder victim, Lorraine Vigil. Scott Johnston: And-- and talk-- and talking him, ya know--. ", Sean Farmer: That was just some added shock. Randall Lee Smith Now: Is The Killer Dead or Alive. In the trees, though, "I saw the blood squirting a foot long out of my neck.". Doctors said it was too dangerous to take that bullet out. Tom Lawson: From a law enforcement perspective we had a excellent case. In addition to the gun, police found a treasure trove of evidence Randall Lee Smith had hidden deep in the woods: Scott Johnston's sunglasses, more than 20 knives, meat cleavers and other items. Farmer held up his hand through the rolled-down window to block the bullet, but Smith didn't fire. As a rule of thumb, youre more likely to encounter troublesome people within a mile or two of crossroads, rather than in the deep, dark forest. She then turned to face Jordan, raising her hands "as if to surrender," and Jordan allegedly stabbed her multiple times. The third result is Randall Lee Smith age 60s in Moorhead, MN. Please subscribe to keep reading. It devastated people. But on the day Smith's murder trial was to begin, Tom Lawson got devastating news. Tom Lawson: How-- how in the world could a person's life not be worth but seven and a half years? You never know who might pick you up in their car even if you are travelling with a partner. Ironically, it was the gunman who did not survive that encounter at the dismal creek campground. For fishermen like Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer, days don't start any better than this. Randall Lee Smith Now: Is The Killer Dead or Alive? "Saves the taxpayers some money.". The legal dispute over the pipeline's use of eminent domain was sent back to district court for a trial. Randall Lee Smith, 43, of Mocksville, NC passed away on March 29, 2021 at his home in Davie County. Bowles said her sadness about Smith's death is tempered by gratitude that his tortured life is done. As Johnston yelled "Go, Sean!" And I just says - I said, "Stop here." "That's what I'm asking for. The male hiker had been shot and killed, and the female hiker had been raped, tortured, and killed. The family put the wounded men on their porch and cleaned them with wet washcloths. Then, seemingly out of the blue, the police got a break. [2] He pleaded guilty shortly before trial commenced to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of hikers Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, both 27-year-old social workers from Maine who were murdered by Smith while hiking the Appalachian Trail in May 1981. Here are the list of Appalachian trail murders since 1974: Scott Lilley, a hiker from Indiana, died on the Applachian Trail on 12 August 2011. "The Randall I knew was not the cold-hearted person the outside world makes him out to be," she said. And he says, "Is this the guy that shot you?". Hikers frequently stop in Pearisburg for resupply or rest, as did Carlie Roberts and Jordan Price on a rainy, miserable Sunday. Sean remembers the next scene unfolding as if in slow motion: the shooter turning back towards him, getting ready to fire again Chris Hansen: What was the look in his eyes? Randall Lee Smith <p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Randall Lee Smith, 43, of Mocksville, NC passed away on March 29, 2021 at his home . The killer is still at large and there are no leads. Tom Lawson: So we started interviewing people who knew him, who grew up with him. Tom Lawson: I can only answer that from a personal perspective. 1.7K Followers True Crime Writer in Las Vegas. Lawson thought Randall Lee Smith was his man -- and he had one sure way to prove it. As we uncovered it, that's when we saw the torso. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. Like - it's almost like he was looking past me. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. A state trooper spotted him just hours after the shooting -- Smith was driving Scott Johnston's pickup truck. Check in with them regularly. They sounded convincing, she said. "The next thing I knew boom, boom, boom! And we take off. They were reported missing after they didn't show up as scheduled in the nearby town of Pearisburg, Va. Chris Hansen: Now, is it unusual for you here in these parts to have people reported missing hiking on the Appalachian Trail? And do some more fishing. They have known each other from a young age, and their bond has only strengthened over the years. As he gets in, the gunman runs alongside, and lines him up for the finishing shot. Sean Farmer: But it just-- we just worked together to get down. Smith was arrested that day after attempting to escape in one of the victim's trucks and subsequently crashing. Saturday Morning Serial - Murders in the Wild - Mix 105.1 Tom Lawson: She runs, he chases, grabs the-- the wrought iron poker as she's running. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Wounded and bleeding, the hikers made their way down the mountain to safety, armed with their own weapon: courage. Smith as he appeared in his 1973 driver's license photo. My first thing that I thought about was, you know, how far we are away. Put the gas to the floor. Chris Hansen: You've both been shot twice. Scott Johnston: The people in the helicopter told me, they're like, "You're in critical condition." Tom Lawson tracked Smith down, brought him back here to his home in Pearisburg, and noticed something -- you could walk out Smith's back door and be up on the Appalachian Trail in minutes, and it was just a short hike from the murder scene. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. The Pearisburg couple heard about his death during church Sunday. Tom Lawson: And this went on for several weeks and we kinda got to a point where we basically just were kind of at a stalemate. Lt. Ron Hamlin says Smith left the road, drove up an embankment and flipped the truck on its roof. Smith served a 10-year prison term for those killings, was released in 1996 and returned home to live with his mother in Pearisburg, Va. His mother died in 2000. We explore the famous Appalachian trail murders. After serving only 15 years, Randall went on to shoot two other men on the Appalachian Trail, but through sheer determination, those two men survived. We never found the weapon. Not until the helicopter landed and the doors were opened and he felt the fresh air, though, did he know that he was still alive. Scott Johnston: That-- that is a picture of the bullet that's in my back. Hollywood film A Walk In The Woods was released in cinemas across the world earlier this month. In life Randall received his education from South Davie schools.&nbsp; He is survived by his mother Virginia Mae Smith, his father Randall Ray Smith, a son Brandon L. Smith of Mocksville, daughters Monica Weatherman and . Incidentally, the stranger even appeared helpful as he took responsibility for collecting dry firewood, and Sean was only too happy to welcome him into their group. We're both bLeeding. Gary Stafford's reaction to the killer's death was typical. The enforcement action involves the same Chemours Co. plant that has been linked to water pollution in the Roanoke Valley. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. A large section of the Appalachian Trail was shut down for weeks, but there were no arrests. Thank y'all so much. Just us bein', you know, young, healthy guys. Rebecca Wight and Claudia Brenner were having sex in the woods in a Pennsylvania State Park while hiking the trail. Scott Johnston: It's just a beautiful, relaxing place to me. Both men were shot twice, but survived. Sean Farmer: Just a blank look. As Mountford turns over and starts to get up, he shoots him in the cheek. He compared Smith's prints to that print left in the book. "Randall Lee Smith (June 29,1953 May 10, 2008) was a convicted murderer from Pearisburg, Virginia. On Tuesday, Smith allegedly struck again, shooting and wounding two fishermen at a spot eerily close to the site of the 1981 murders. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. First off there is the standing fucking hooray that is Steve Buscemi in Ghost World. Tom Lawson: I haven't accepted it in 27 years. And I say, "Call 911. I guess behind my nose in-- in here. As Johnston banged on the door and pleaded for help, Farmer wobbled from the Jeep. (laughing). Although each man had two serious gunshot wounds, they both survived the harrowing ordeal. For a split second he thought someone had sneaked into camp and shot him, but he turned and saw a flash of fire from the stranger's hand, which now was stretched out toward Johnston. And--. We just kept staring down at her, and it was almost like we were in denial of what we just found. I mean, we're both in a panic. "If I had to ask him one question," Johnston said, "it would be, Why? Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The two men demonstrated what happened next. And, I mean, the rocks are flying and there's trees, and I'm screamin', "Sean, Sean!" In 2008, Randall Lee Smith shot two fishermen on the trail with intent to kill them. Randy is survived by his parents John and Norma Smith, his sister Debra (Brian) Doggett, his brother Timothy (Sandy) Smith, nieces Shelley White, Amy and Kasey Smith . IE 11 is not supported. A motive for the alleged attack is under investigation by the FBI's Richmond, Virginia, division. I said, "These people are going to help us." [13] Smith was also referenced in season 12, episode 4 of Criminal Minds. But police still didn't know what happened to her hiking partner, Robert Mountford. Jordan was arrested on the trail around 6:14 a.m. Saturday. Tom Lawson: The prosecution attorney comes in and says, "I felt like that there was some holes in the case and I have struck a plea agreement with the defense attorneys.". Scott says he developed a special bond with nurse and patient advocate Judy Snipes. Randall Lee Smith was injured in the crash. ", Before you purchase another gift card at a major retailer such as Walmart, you need to hear Carolyn Horns account of getting scammed. Farmer said he then stood up, unable to figure out what had happened, and felt his face, hot and swelling. Randall "Randy" Lee Smith, 60, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday, September 07, 2021, at Carolinas HealthCare System - Blue Ridge. And - and we - we come down off the embankment and we stop. "He said, 'Come on, boy. asked Virginia Smith, a neighbor who is not related to Randall Smith. [9] Smith was arrested that day after attempting to escape in Johnstons truck and subsequently crashing. Chilling details emerge in fatal machete attack on - ABC News Randall Lee Smith | Criminal Minds Wiki | Fandom "We will continue to work with our state and local partners to bring the perpetrator of this senseless and brutal attack to justice," Cullen added. Chris Hansen: And what was it like when you took that first breath on your own? It's-- it's possibly, you know, it's about a quarter inch from my spine or less. Sean walked us through what happened next. Make sure someone knows where you can. and I see his arm stuck out towards Sean. You have permission to edit this article. Johnston and Farmer recalled that they sensed the stranger was taking liberties with the truth, but they didn't hold it against him. She said residents told them about Randall Lee Smith, about the murders he committed in 1981 and about the most recent allegations. There's some shrapnel right here that I can feel. Scott Johnston: Actually awesome. To keep creating Scott Johnston: It was -- felt good. Hoping just to-- if he was gonna shoot me, shoot me through the hand, just, you know, block it a little bit. 1996- Julie Williams and Lollie Winans were found both with their throats cut in the Shenandoah National Park in the Virginia. And live life. And I'm telling him, I'm like, "Slow down. They have also lived in Fort Myers, FL and Fargo, ND. Mountford was shot in the head and Ramsay had been beaten and stabbed. Adulting with Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos, Waiting for Impact: A Dave Holmes Passion Project. On May 6, 2008, Sean and Scott set out individually for Dismal Creek, and while Sean was the first to reach the campsite, he soon came across a stranger who introduced himself as Ricky Williams of Newport. Also, he had lost all vision in his right eye. She brought him meals and stayed to chat. Youre more likely to encounter troublesome people within a mile of Appalachian Trail crossroads, rather than in the deep, dark forest. "He was a good friend and a good neighbor.". As he hit the dirt road leading out, a bloody Johnston stepped out of the woods and into the road. Scott and Sean were near the trail on brushy mountain, miles away from civilization, heading for a creek alive with rainbow trout. Scott had lost a lot of blood, and realized he was fading fast. We-- because the trail is so very well-marked, and most of the people who walk that trail are-- are experienced hikers. Dale Vaught of Pembroke said Smith "was probably going to die anyway" by lethal injection. Randall Smith's body was to arrive in Roanoke today, authorities said. They each drank a Bud Light but didn't offer Smith one. Randall Lee Smith was arrested in the double homicide. ", "I wasn't even looking at him, and the next thing I know, I didn't see him pull a gun or anything, I just had this ringing in my head where he shot me right in the side of the face," Farmer said. We probably were the two nicest people he ran across--. She gave the Appalachian Trail website these handy hints about spotting a potential attackers on the Trail. Later, the police determined that Ricky was none other than Randall Lee Smith, who had already returned to his murderous ways after being paroled from prison. I woulda died right there. I said, "Randall, you did shoot them guys." I said, "I know you did." Nature still holds sway here in the vast national forests of Virginia: black bears, bobcats, timber rattlers and other predators are here, stalking their prey. PEARISBURG -- News of Randall Lee Smith's death Saturday afternoon elicited little sympathy Sunday in Giles County. new content, we kindly appreciate any donation you can give to help to keep expanding and making Murderpedia a better site, but we really This was gonna make people despise you. You know, I was scared. Scott Johnston: --and one on the steering wheel. Then, Smith stood up and smacked his hand against his thigh to wake his sleeping dog, Johnston said. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Chris Hansen: And one on the steering wheel. He was worried about Scott, he says, and wondering who just shot them, and why? So I went and run to the phone and called 911. Tom Lawson: We found evidence in tree stumps, in-- in knot holes in trees, under rocks. Sean Farmer: Well, I'd say the most important part is, you know, just don't give up. By the powers of mother and earth hear meshow me thy gloryI invoke thee oh, ancient one.". He befriended the two fishermen, who shared their dinner with Smith, before opening fire on them without warning. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. On Friday, Jordan allegedly approached four hikers near the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday at the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia. I--I'm holding my finger in the bullet hole right here to keep myself from bLeeding to death. At a remote mountain campsite, Sean Farmer is in a life-or-death struggle with a gunman intent on killing him. His parents were unable to bail him out and he was incarcerated. Chris Hansen: Twenty-seven years later you're assistant superintendent of the jail--. Their pulling together as a team, how they pulled off two of them trying to drive a truck over a road that's as windy as the road you saw, is to me almost an amazing feat. A bullet remains in Johnston's back, and his neck is marred by a bullet wound and a surgical scar. Melissa Miller: I thought it was one of my son's friends playing a joke. Two of the hikers chased him away, but Jordan allegedly returned and began stabbing the male victim in the upper body after they began arguing, the complaint states. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. They wouldn't know that for nearly four hours after he had told them lie after lie, after the gun came out. Shooting survivors share incredible story with 'Dateline NBC' "It happened so fast, I was just thinking, I've got to get out of here.". For him, it is still sacred ground. Bowles' concern for Smith, a Pearisburg resident who was 54 when he died, led her to file a missing-person report April 30 with the Giles County Sheriff's Department. But as Farmer put his Jeep in gear, the shot he was expecting didn't come. Sean Farmer: Just to stop him from shooting us. When April Fools Goes too Far! And my mouth swollen immediately. This wasnt the case with Randall Lee Smith or Lyin Randall as the locals had taken to calling him. And I would have been dead. That evening, as Sean was setting up his tent near a place called dismal creek, that same fisherman stopped by. Glatman was released in November that same year. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But that bloody fingerprint was of little use until they could match it to a suspect. Something evil happened at this lonely campground years ago, a crime so gruesome that its memory seemed to linger in the damp, forest air. Tom Lawson: The dog comes over to this big stump, this big trunk of the tree --and he just sit. We just talked about trivial stuff, nothing in-depth or personal.". He's taking the spike nail that was on the ground, he's stabbing her. Smith introduced himself as Ricky Williams of Newport. I was more just pissed off more than anything. I said, "Oh, my goodness, this is not a joke.". "I was sitting down in a chair and he was standing up between us.". "Lyin' Randall.". "Well, if I did, it wasn't my gun, it was theirs," is what he said. And Scott and Sean -- who somehow survived Smith's brutal attack -- will never get any answers, either. Both survived. Medical examiners still are trying to determine the cause of death. Susan Ramsay, 27, and Robert Mountford, 27. First, he shot Robert Mountford in the head. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Police could not determine if she had been sexually assaulted, because of the condition of the body. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. And then my vision in my right side went bad. The male victim was found dead at the scene, and the female victim was taken to the Bristol Regional Medical Center in Tennessee, where she gave a statement to investigators and named Jordan as the man who attacked them, according to the complaint. Based on the forensic evidence, Lawson and his colleagues believe the killer attacked after the two hikers went to sLeep. Tom Lawson: Why did you do it? There-- there's a small bridge that you have to cross the creek. Although Sean and Scott managed to escape with their lives, they were shot multiple times and had to go through several complex and costly medical procedures that included numerous operations. Scott Johnston: The-- the doctor told that the bullet that went in my neck missed my carotid artery by one millimeter. Scott Johnston: It was really creepy. And - and we skid to a stop right there. The pressure was on to find the killer, but police had just one solid piece of forensic evidence -- from a book belonging to murder victim Susan Ramsay. Chris Hansen: How are you gonna get down this mountain? But right now, the two men had one more harrowing, life and death ride to take. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You know, they-- they just let him roam free. I owe you my life. He died in jail four days later as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. These are the deadliest national parks in the U.S. Biden vows banking system is 'safe and sound', Iconic TV sets and artifacts up for auction. He willingly confessed to the other three murders and eventually led the police to a toolbox containing pictures that he had taken of the victims. And- and I felt the bullet hole. Scott Johnston: And live life to the fullest. "He loved that dog and that dog loved him," Sherman Smith said. Send a Card. Community reacts to Randall Lee Smith's death. Jordan was known to the hikers, who had previously seen on social media that he allegedly threatened hikers on the Appalachian Trail in Unicoi County, Tennessee in April, according to the probable cause statement. But the police were able to confirm that the gun was his. Ron Hamlin: Do you wish to talk to us about this? Scott Johnston: And-- and we drive down about two or three miles. He was born June 30, 1967, in Mecklenburg County, son of Kay Harding Thompson and the late Jackie W. Thompson Sr. Scotte was a caring, loving father, son, and friend. Scott Johnston: And he says, "Is this the guy that shot you?" Randall Lee Smith (June 29, 1953 May 10, 2008)[1] was a convicted murderer from Pearisburg, Virginia. As far as away as possible. Well, you know, that's the one question I have, is why? But it turns out, violentcrime on hiking trails is more frequent than I initially thought. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Lawson and his team went to check the Wapiti shelter -- near where Scott and Sean would camp years later --- because it was the closest campsite to Pearisburg. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Scott and Sean were still a long way from medical help. Smith infamously murdered two people along the Appalachian Trail in . Scott and Sean say they had the uneasy feeling of being watched that day, and, though they didn't know it, some hikers had told the local sheriff they had seen something very odd on the nearby Appalachian Trail: strange symbols and threatening signs painted on rocks and trees. Hiking isnt generally thought of asa dangerous pursuit. Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, 27 year old social workers from Maine, were both also victims of theAppalachian trail murdersby Randall Lee Smith. Scott Johnston: Oh, I mean, the blood was just squirting out of my neck. [2] A third victim, Shirley Ann Bridgeford, was met through a Lonely Hearts ad in the newspaper. At trial, Carr claimed he had been enraged by the sight of the two women having sex. That's the-- that's the round that killed him. But they're alive, thanks to good luck, and some outstanding medical care. It does not store any personal data. Dangerous people are often impulsive, display explosive bursts of anger, narcissistic, hold grudges and lack empathy. But, it just didn't happen. Chris Hansen: And you know you had to get that wound plugged? May 6, 2008 dawned a sunshine perfect spring morning, and Scott, a cook, and Sean, a truck driver, grabbed their gear and headed up the Appalachian Trail for a few days of fishing and camping in the lush and tranquil woods of southwestern Virginia. And I mean we're flying down the road. Randall Lee Smith Obituary - Tribute Archive I mean, it was just pulsing out of me. Randall Lee Smith was arrested and charged with the 1981 Appalachian Trail murders. I was just amazed. Moreover, although both followed terribly busy schedules, it wasnt out of the ordinary for them to plan a day of fishing and relaxation. Smith, carrying a fishing rod and a bag, walked up and said he recently had found the dog. Once Jordan was gone, the victim ran down the trail and ran into two hikers, who assisted her for the next six miles into Smyth County, Virginia, where they called 911, according to the court documents.