California News: Police Find the Remains Body of Execs Movie. Murder suspected in case of missing movie exec after remains found by hikers Published November 06, 2014 FoxNews This file photo released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shows missing 20th Century Fox executive Gavin Smith who was last seen May 1, 2012 (AP Photo/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department) LOS ANGELES – The body of a former movie executive who played college basketball for legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden was found by hikers in a California national forest more than two years after he disappeared in what authorities believe was a case of murder. The remains of Gavin Smith, who worked for 20th Century Foxs distribution arm, were found in the Angeles National Forest, in rural Palmdale, solving at least part of a mystery that has puzzled authorities since May of 2012, when Smith, 57, was last seen. He was officially declared dead on May 1 of this year, and his disappearance has been linked to a man now serving time in prison on unrelated charges. ADVERTISEMENT Los Angeles police “have a good idea of a motive behind Smiths murder, sources told the Los Angeles Times. In February 2013, investigators acting on a tip found Smith’s car in a Simi Valley storage locker rented by James Creech, who is serving an eight-year sentence for an unrelated drug conviction. Undisclosed evidence discovered in the car indicated Smith had met with foul play, police said at the time. A SWAT team and police detectives had already raided an LA-area home owned by Creech a month after the executive disappeared in a search for evidence of a felony sources said at the time may have been related to Smiths disappearance. Smith had reportedly met Creechs wife, Chandrika Creech, in rehab, although Creech has denied knowing Smith. Smith, who was estanged from his family, was last seen alive leaving a female friends home in Ventura County the night of May 1, 2012, in the black, 2000-model Mercedes-Benz 420 E. Lt. Larry Dietz of the Los Angeles County coroners office confirmed early Thursday that the remains, found on Oct. 26, have been positively identified. Results of the autopsy have not been finalized. Smith worked in the movie industry for 18 years and helped distribute blockbuster hits such as Avatar and the Star Wars trilogy. The executive, who is 6 feet, 6 inches tall, was also a member of UCLAs 1975 national championship mens basketball team. Smiths family, including his son Evan, a former forward for USCs basketball team, has declined to comment about the case.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:50:13 +0000
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