Missing South Carolina Mom Found Dead; Two Arrested in Case
The remains of the South Carolina mom found dead have now been discovered by police authorities.
The remains of Jamilla "Millie" Shanae' Smith, a single mother from South Carolina who has been missing since December 2023, have been identified, along with the revelation of her cause of death.
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office found the 30-year-old mother's body on Thursday in a wooded area on Silver Bluff Road.
The discovery has shed light on the tragic events that unfolded and led to her disappearance. Suspects allegedly related to the tragedy are now in police custody.
Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death For Jamilla Smith
In a press release, authorities announced that the Aiken County Coroner, Daryll Ables, along with the Aiken Department of Public Safety and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, assisted in recovering Smith's remains.
An autopsy determined that Smith died from a gunshot wound to the head. Smith, a mother of two boys, was last heard from on December 2.
She was in Aiken County with her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Gabriel Harmon, who was later arrested on December 23 on charges including kidnapping and murder.
According to a police affidavit, Harmon is believed to have struck Smith with a car.
On December 2, Smith made a breathless 911 call, during which she told the male suspect to leave her alone and mentioned being hit by a vehicle.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into Smith's death has led to multiple arrests. Bryan Alexander Hampton Jr., Harmon's cousin, turned himself in on April 19 and was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Additionally, on April 17, authorities arrested Clyde Hendley II, also charging him with accessory after the fact of murder.
Hendley, an associate of the other two men, was taken into custody after a search of his Aiken County home.
It remains unclear who is representing Hendley in court. The Aiken County Solicitor's Office confirmed that Strom Thurmond is representing Hampton, but Thurmond did not respond to requests for comment.
Harmon's attorney, Charles Lyons III, has advised his client not to comment on the case, expressing remorse on behalf of Harmon's family for Smith's disappearance and death.
Family's Heartbreak and Calls for Justice
Smith's disappearance has been deeply felt by her family and community. Kimberly Kite, who runs a nonprofit organization that aids in finding missing persons, was contacted by Smith's loved ones for assistance.
Kite expressed hope that Smith would be found and brought home, emphasizing the need for justice and closure for her family.
Smith's mother, Tina McCraw, recounted her daughter's history of domestic violence incidents involving Harmon. Records show that Smith contacted the police regarding domestic violence three times in 2023.
McCraw shared that Smith had moved to Florida to be with family but returned to South Carolina in December to address car-related issues. Tragically, Smith's last communication with her mother involved seeking help to locate her phone after her ex-boyfriend threw it out of the car.
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office continues to urge anyone with information related to Smith's case to come forward by calling (803) 648-6811 or sending a message through their website at www.aikencountysheriff.net.
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