Randall Lee Smith

Click to Enlarge

Sgt. Michael Conroy of the Virginia State Police told EverythingNRV.com Monday afternoon that the State Police have been asked to conduct the investigation surrounding Smith’s death at the New River Valley Regional Jail.

“We will have to wait for the complete Medical Examiner’s report, which could take several weeks,” said Sgt. Conroy. “It will all depend on how long it takes to get back the toxicology tests, plus the other tests they are conducting.”

Conroy also stated, “There was no obvious signs of any foul play.”

Smith’s, who is suspected of shooting two campers on the Appalachian Trail last Tuesday, autopsy was scheduled for today at the Roanoke Medical Examiner’s Office.

Authorities said Saturday night that they found Smith by himself and unresponsive in his cell at the New River Valley Regional Jail around 5 p.m. Jail guards tried to revive him and then took Smith to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators with the Giles County Sheriff's Department said they found no evidence of suicide.  They also said Smith's death appears to be more of a medical problem.

Smith was released from Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Friday, where he had been recovering from injuries he had received Tuesday night after wrecking one of the victims vehicle. He had been on a ventilator while at RMH.

When he was released Friday, he was immediately arrested and charged by the Giles County Sheriff’s Office with two counts of attempted capital murder, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and grand larceny.

Smith, who was from Pearisburg, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1982 and he killed two hikers on the Appalachian Trail in May of 1981. He was given a total of 30 years in prison (two 15-year sentences). He was release on parole in 1996 and was then released from probation in 2006.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment