CANADA Canada- Beverly Lynn Smith, 22, Fatally shot @ home, Oshawa, Ontario, 9 Dec'74

[dotr]

April 26 2022
'Whodunit to this day': Documentary on unsolved Durham murder of Beverly Lynn Smith coming to Amazon Prime (durhamregion.com)
''Beverly Smith was shot and killed on Monday, Dec. 9, 1974, in the family home in the north Oshawa hamlet of Raglan. She lived there with her husband Doug and their 10-month-old daughter Rebecca.

Al Smith (no relation to Beverly) was tried for her murder in 2014, but was acquitted. He has since brought a lawsuit against the Durham Regional Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and the York Regional Police for their role in his arrest. He’s also suing three Crown attorneys.

The OPP and York police supplied undercover officers during a “Mr. Big” sting against Al Smith.''
''The documentary is being released on Saturday, April 30 as a Hot Docs screening, but the main release will be on May 6.

Mitchell said, “I was first approached about the documentary project several years ago by a producer who had come across my reporting. The producer had read my book, ‘The Coldest Case,’ and was very enthusiastic about the project. It’s a fascinating, made-in-Durham true crime story that spans decades and has resulted in numerous twists and turns.

“And it remains a whodunit to this day.”

Mitchell's book can be downloaded at www.durhamregion.com, under “e-editions.”

 

[dotr]

April 30 2022
True crime doc delves into 1974 Durham murder | The Star

''Beverly Lynn Smith was lively, loving and the light in any room she walked in.

The 22-year-old mother, best described as the girl next door, lived in a house in Raglan, Ont., with her husband, Doug Smith, and her 10-month old baby girl, Rebecca. An old soul, Beverly had a penchant for pulling off the perfect prank with her twin sister Barbra, loved antiques and sewing so much that she even stitched together her own wedding gown.
That was before she was fatally shot in 1974.
Widely regarded as one of Canada’s coldest cases, a tip offered decades later prompted a new investigation into Alan Dale Smith (no relation), a neighbour who lived across the street.

''What happened next was one of the most unconventional policing operations in this country’s history. So unconventional that it is the subject of a new documentary series that makes its world premiere at Hot Docs on April 30. The operation led to Smith being acquitted of the crime in 2014 (his second arrest for the same crime).

“The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith” delves deep into the search for a killer and a quest for truth in a mystery that has spanned over four decades.''

''The details of the clandestine investigation are being saved until the series officially premieres. They make up just one chapter of a story that has many.

Bibeau’s diligent efforts talking to everyone directly affected by the investigation make up another part of the story. This not only includes the Alan Dale Smith, but Beverly’s twin Barbra and her other sisters, Wendy and Susan.''

''The sisters didn’t have to be coerced into participating in the doc series as they feel that the case warrants attention.

“The family was actually quite eager to have their say in a way that they haven’t had before. They expressed to me that they feel as if Al Smith has co-opted their sister’s story,” Bibeau said.

Toronto Star crime reporter Wendy Gillis covered Alan Dale Smith’s trial in 2014 and also lends her expertise to the docuseries. She believes there are many reasons why it is one of the most important investigations in Canadian history.''

 

[dotr]

May 12 2022

The Beverly Lynn Smith murder: A Star reporter’s coverage of the Durham cold case

Wendy Gillis’s extensive coverage of the 1974 death of Durham’s Beverly Smith, the 40-year investigation that followed, and Amazon’s new documentary.

www.thestar.com

''Wendy Gillis has led the Star’s coverage of the Beverly Smith murder for years.

The investigation into the Durham woman’s 1974 death, considered one of Durham Region’s coldest case, spanned more than 40 years. The police probe, called a Mr. Big sting, happened right before a landmark Supreme Court decision set strict limits on police use of the sting operations across the country.

Gillis’comprehensive coverage of the investigation and ensuing police drama led her to be featured in an Amazon Original documentary series that made its world premiere at Toronto’s Hot Docs documentary festival on April 30.''

“The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith” is currently the top trending documentary series on Amazon’s Prime Video platform, with an IMDB rating of 6.8.

 

[LolaAngelina]

May 12 2022

The Beverly Lynn Smith murder: A Star reporter’s coverage of the Durham cold case

Wendy Gillis’s extensive coverage of the 1974 death of Durham’s Beverly Smith, the 40-year investigation that followed, and Amazon’s new documentary.

www.thestar.com

''Wendy Gillis has led the Star’s coverage of the Beverly Smith murder for years.

The investigation into the Durham woman’s 1974 death, considered one of Durham Region’s coldest case, spanned more than 40 years. The police probe, called a Mr. Big sting, happened right before a landmark Supreme Court decision set strict limits on police use of the sting operations across the country.

Gillis’comprehensive coverage of the investigation and ensuing police drama led her to be featured in an Amazon Original documentary series that made its world premiere at Toronto’s Hot Docs documentary festival on April 30.''

“The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith” is currently the top trending documentary series on Amazon’s Prime Video platform, with an IMDB rating of 6.8.

I’ve just watched the documentary. I don’t think Alan had anything to do with it. The way the police handled this case was infuriating. From the horrendous Mr Big sting, to the manipulation of the ex wife, employing the “friend” to also manipulate her.

 

[dotr]

Nathalie Bibeau Talks ‘Unsolved Murder Of Beverly Lynn Smith’ Docuseries

Director Nathalie Bibeau reveals her new true crime docuseries, “The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith”, was filmed through a journalistic lens. Having had its premiere at the Hot Docs Festival 2022, it is now streaming on Prime Video.

etcanada.com

''ET CANADA

Nathalie Bibeau Talks ‘Unsolved Murder Of Beverly Lynn Smith’ Docuseries​

Director Nathalie Bibeau reveals her new true crime docuseries, “The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith”, was filmed through a journalistic lens. Having had its premiere at the Hot Docs Festival 2022, it is now streaming on Prime Video.''

 

[Trouble1321075]

I’ve just watched the documentary. I don’t think Alan had anything to do with it. The way the police handled this case was infuriating. From the horrendous Mr Big sting, to the manipulation of the ex wife, employing the “friend” to also manipulate her.

I just watched the documentary and this story is a total tragedy.

I can't make up my mind if I think he was involved or not. The way the police went about it jas destroyed any credibility of his confession. Even if it was true we can not trust the confession of someone who was terrified for their life at the time. That program should be outlawed. It was a big disservice to everyone involved.

Now im interested in learning more about what forensic evidence there was and what other leads were there.

I'm also curious if they had anything beyond what his wife claimed and his confession to lead them to believe he had anything to do with it.

 

[dotr]

April 2022 rbbm,

Unsolved murder north of Oshawa and the failed Mr. Big sting to catch her alleged killer inspires documentary | inDurham

Durham Region’s oldest unsolved murder and the failed Mr. Big sting to try to catch the killer are the subject of a new documentary coming to Toronto Hot Docs. The docu-series focuses on the 1974 death of Beverly Lynn Smith in Raglan, Ontario, a small community on Simcoe Street smack in between...

www.insauga.com

''Smith was 22 years-old and a new mother to her 10-month-old daughter, Rebecca. On December 9, 1974, as her daughter slept in a neighbouring room, Smith was shot in the back of the head in her own home.

There were no signs of forced entry. Nothing was taken from the house. Smith was later found fully clothed and unmolested. The murder weapon, a .22 caliber rifle, was never found, and there was no indication the shot came from outside''


''Smith was found to have had guests just prior to her death. However, an interview eliminated them as suspects. Eventually Smith’s case was placed in a cold case file and left on the shelf unsolved for decades. Attempts to revive the investigation over the years came to naught.

More than thirty years later a break came in.

Durham Regional Police brought in Linda Smith in 2008. She alleged it was her then-husband, Alan Dale Smith, who pulled the trigger, a claim was backed up by a former friend.

Linda was a neighbour of Beverly’s, friendly though unrelated. It was Linda who found Beverly’s body lying on the floor of the home. She had received a call from Beverly’s husband, Doug, who was trying to call home from work at General Motors.

Concerned when he received no answer, Doug called Linda to check out his home. Linda saw Beverly’s body when she peaked through a window.

Alan Smith, who had since moved to Cobourg, was arrested a few months later and charged with second-degree murder. However, the statements were later found to be unreliable as Linda’s story shifted under heavy questioning.

First she said she was with Alan the whole night. Then she said he left for about an hour. Linda said she heard a noise that could have been a backfiring car. Finally, she said she saw Alan put a rifle in his van. This changing narrative led to Linda facing an obstruction charge.''

''Beverly’s daughter Rebecca, now a grown woman older than her mother ever got to be, and Beverly’s twin sister Barbra remain convinced of Alan’s guilt.''

 

[Trouble1321075]

April 2022 rbbm,

Unsolved murder north of Oshawa and the failed Mr. Big sting to catch her alleged killer inspires documentary | inDurham

Durham Region’s oldest unsolved murder and the failed Mr. Big sting to try to catch the killer are the subject of a new documentary coming to Toronto Hot Docs. The docu-series focuses on the 1974 death of Beverly Lynn Smith in Raglan, Ontario, a small community on Simcoe Street smack in between...

www.insauga.com

''Smith was 22 years-old and a new mother to her 10-month-old daughter, Rebecca. On December 9, 1974, as her daughter slept in a neighbouring room, Smith was shot in the back of the head in her own home.

There were no signs of forced entry. Nothing was taken from the house. Smith was later found fully clothed and unmolested. The murder weapon, a .22 caliber rifle, was never found, and there was no indication the shot came from outside''


''Smith was found to have had guests just prior to her death. However, an interview eliminated them as suspects. Eventually Smith’s case was placed in a cold case file and left on the shelf unsolved for decades. Attempts to revive the investigation over the years came to naught.

More than thirty years later a break came in.

Durham Regional Police brought in Linda Smith in 2008. She alleged it was her then-husband, Alan Dale Smith, who pulled the trigger, a claim was backed up by a former friend.

Linda was a neighbour of Beverly’s, friendly though unrelated. It was Linda who found Beverly’s body lying on the floor of the home. She had received a call from Beverly’s husband, Doug, who was trying to call home from work at General Motors.

Concerned when he received no answer, Doug called Linda to check out his home. Linda saw Beverly’s body when she peaked through a window.

Alan Smith, who had since moved to Cobourg, was arrested a few months later and charged with second-degree murder. However, the statements were later found to be unreliable as Linda’s story shifted under heavy questioning.

First she said she was with Alan the whole night. Then she said he left for about an hour. Linda said she heard a noise that could have been a backfiring car. Finally, she said she saw Alan put a rifle in his van. This changing narrative led to Linda facing an obstruction charge.''

''Beverly’s daughter Rebecca, now a grown woman older than her mother ever got to be, and Beverly’s twin sister Barbra remain convinced of Alan’s guilt.''

Linda also confessed to being the shooter at one point and then recanted. She is easily manipulated.

The story that he went there for some pot does not add up either.

The only way for that to be feasible would mean that she was dealing as well as her husband. This does not really fit with her being afraid at night and keeping the doors locked and staying on the phone all night.

There is a very big piece of information missing in this case. Nothing really adds up.