By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Three years ago on Feb. 6, 2008, when Barbara Smith returned to her Thomas Road home in Woodland, she discovered her husband Darrel, dead at his sawmill, which was operated on the couple’s property.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Barbara Smith of Woodland holds two photographs of her late husband Darrel, whose murder remains unsolved after three years. The Feb. 6, 2008 homicide case remains an open and active case.
During a winter in which record snowfall amounts had already fallen, it had also snowed most of the day on that date, erasing any obvious clues that may have been left behind at the murder scene. “The fact that we already had so much snow on the ground and that it snowed all that day, was really a hindrance during the initial investigation — everything was pretty much covered with snow,” stated the victim’s widow.
On the third anniversary of the Woodland murder Darrel Smith’s family continues to struggle with the loss of their son, brother and husband.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been three years since Darrel’s murder,” said Barbara Smith, “to me it seems like yesterday and is constantly on my mind. I have a very hard time coming to grips with the fact that we have people like this freely walking amongst us, after taking an innocent person’s life.”
Since the homicide occurred, investigators have recovered the murder weapon and a safe which was taken from the property. One item remains at large — Darrel Smith’s wallet has never been found.
Maine State Police Detective Sgt. John Cote said, “The death of Darrel Smith remains an open and active case. We look into every bit of information we receive as well as that shared by the Caribou Police Department and the MDEA. We work closely with all of these departments, reaching out and following up on any new leads. We also continue to update the attorney general’s office on a regular basis with any new evidence/information we have gained. We are making every effort to collect everything we must have to make an arrest and a successful conviction.”
“We have made substantial strides in this investigation, the recovery of the murder weapon itself put us in place to be able to provide a good foundation on the case.” Cote also added, “I really believe there are people out there who hold the key to that last bit of information we need, at this time we have a good grasp on the case and I feel it’s just a matter of time before we acquire the information to push the case over the edge.”
Det. Sgt. Cote also stated, “There is a very firm standard that must be followed in proving this case without reasonable doubt. We only get one shot at this — there is a fine line in the balance of an arrest and closure — we must have a confirmed conviction. It we move prematurely and the case is not successful in court, we don’t get a second chance.”
According to Cote, in the three years since Smith’s homicide, investigators, police departments (both local and state) with other resources, including crime labs, have invested hundreds of hours to this unsolved case.
“I still have hope,” said Barbara Smith, “hope that something is going to turn up. It is for this reason I have offered a $40,000 reward plus the public reward fund for someone who can give the police information that is critically needed to help solve this case. I remain confident that this will happen — then we can receive some closure with Darrel’s death. Once again, I thank all of my friends and family for their words of encouragement — these action do indeed help me cope with my loss.”
In addition to a $40,000 reward offered to anyone who provides information that results in the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of Darrel Smith on Feb. 6, 2008, there is also a separate Darrell Smith Public Reward Fund, Inc. which now stands at $14,650.
The public reward provides a chance for private citizens or organization to donate to the reward fund. All monies donated are held in an account at the Aroostook County Federal Savings and Loan Association in Caribou. In the case that the reward is not needed, all contributions will be refunded.
As with the $40,000 reward, this public reward fund is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this murder. This is a non-profit corporation and donations are tax deductible.
Donations to the public reward fund may be mailed to Aroostook County Federal Savings and Loan Association, P.O. Box 808, Caribou, ME. 04736.
The public should remain aware that Smith’s wallet remains missing and anyone with information regarding this item or any other aspect of this unsolved crime is encouraged to contact the Caribou Police Department, the Maine State Police(1-800-924-2261,the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Dept. or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-638-TIPS. Individuals should not feel that their information is of no importance or that it may have already been provided to the authorities by someone else.
