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Who Is Susan Smith?
On October 25, 1994, Susan Smith made national headlines after falsely claiming that an African American man had carjacked her vehicle with her two young sons inside. This fabricated story captured the public’s attention and sparked racial tensions. However, days later, Smith confessed to the unthinkable: she had deliberately drowned her children by pushing her car into a lake. She was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for their murders.
Early Life
Susan Leigh Vaughan, later known as Susan Smith, was born on September 26, 1971, in Union, South Carolina. Her early life was marred by turmoil and trauma. Her parents’ relationship was fraught with violence, and after their divorce, her father tragically died by suicide. Her mother remarried quickly, but this only deepened Susan’s troubles, as her stepfather, Beverly Russell, sexually abused her—a factor that would later emerge during her trial.
The Murder of Her Sons
On the evening of October 25, 1994, Smith contacted the police, claiming that a Black man had hijacked her car with her sons, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander, still inside. Her emotional pleas for their safe return were broadcasted on national television, gaining widespread sympathy and media attention.
However, nine days later, Smith confessed to the police that she had driven her car into John D. Long Lake with her sons strapped into their car seats, intentionally drowning them. It was revealed that her motive was to remove her children from her life in the hopes of pursuing a romantic relationship with a wealthy man who did not want to be involved with a woman who had children.
Trial and Sentencing
Susan Smith’s trial shocked the nation, especially given the racial implications of her initial accusation. During the trial, her stepfather, Beverly Russell, a prominent figure in the Republican Party and Christian Coalition, admitted to having molested Susan both during her teenage years and again shortly before she committed the murders. Despite the heinous nature of the crime, Smith was spared the death penalty and instead received a life sentence.
Smith is currently serving her sentence at Leath Correctional Institution in South Carolina. After serving a minimum of 30 years, she will be eligible for parole in 2024.