Everyone who knew Brad Smithwick knew that he loved his two children more than anything in the world. That’s why he fought tooth and nail to gain full custody of them. Finally, on October 3, 2007, Brad got what he was working so hard for: full custody. He was set to fill out the paperwork in two days. But he would never get the chance to sign his name on the dotted line.This episode was suggested by Albert “Bubba” Summerlin, a retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Agent Summerlin assisted with the investigation I’m discussing in today’s case. He was gracious enough to not only recommend the topic, but speak with us on multiple occasions to make sure we got the details right. So, thank you to Agent Summerlin! Hosted and produced by Erica KelleyResearched and Written by Haley GrayAdditional writing by Erica KelleySpecial thanks to Albert “Bubba” Summerlin, retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.Original Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Erica KelleySources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/the-murder-of-brad-smithwickSponsors: Friends without the “R” - Best FiendsBetterHelp.com/southern

161: The Murder of Brad Smithwick

Erica Kelley is a native Tennessean exploring historical and contemporary true crime in the South. Southern charm is attempted but southern sass is bountiful. Join her as she shows you just how southern fried the justice system can be in the Deep South.

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Parents have to trust caregivers. It’s just a fact of life. Often we feel more comfortable with a family friend than a daycare. That’s what Tiffany and David Shell did for their daughter Annie. They trusted Brandi Giannunzio. She babysat their two youngest daughters. She was good with their girls. They had no reason to believe Brandi would leave their girls with her boyfriend. They had never met Benjamin Brown. But on August 9, 2018, he was left alone with their daughters. And then they had to face the unthinkable. Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Erica Kelley & Gemma HarrisOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder and Erica Kelley RESOURCES FOR CHILD ABUSEVisit this website for preventing Shaken Baby SyndromeUS National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453For resources specific to each state, visit this websiteCanada: visit this website to find the hotline in your areaUK Child Abuse Hotline: 0808 800 5000Visit this website for help recognizing child abuseSources: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com/annie-burkett-shellThis episode is brought to you by:  Don’t pull the covers over your head, your health is too important. Download the Teladoc Health app today, or go to TelaDocHealth.com, to make scheduling your next doctor’s appointment so much easier.  Indulge in affordable luxury! Go to Quince.com and use promo code SFTC for free shipping. Give all the “moms” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years—go to StoryWorth.com/southernfried and save $10 of your first purchase. 

215: The Death of Annie Burkett Shell

Nancy Brophy fills her novels with romantic betrayals and murder. It’s a far cry from her quiet life in the suburbs, where she and her chef husband, Dan, are living out their golden years. But when Dan is shot dead, Nancy finds herself at the center of a murder case that could be ripped from the pages of her novels.From Wondery, this is a story about what happens when the line blurs between fiction and reality. Listen to Happily Never After: Dan & Nancy early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. https://wondery.app.link/HNADN_SFTC

Listen Now: Happily Never After: Dan & Nancy

After Laura Ackerson lost full custody of her sons, she was heartbroken, but she sprang into action. Within 2 weeks, she got another hearing but she still only got weekends. She had to completely overhaul her life. Within a year, Laura found a great apartment and opened her own ad agency—not just a stable job, but a career she was proud of. Meanwhile, Grant Hayes had blown through most of his new wife’s money. His life was swirling down the drain. And with the court ordered pysch evaluation, he knew he was about to lose custody of his kids. Laura had won. He couldn’t let that happen. So when she went missing a month before their next custody hearing, her friends immediately feared the worst. But I’m not sure in their worst nightmares, they could have been prepared to what happened to Laura Ackerson. RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCEUS National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.orgCanada: visit this website to find the hotline in your areaUK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247For resources in other countries, visit this websiteHosted, produced and written by Erica Kelley Researched by Erica and Andrea MarshbankOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley Case suggested by MarciaSources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/laura-ackerson-part-2This episode is brought to you by:  Visit SimpliSafe.com/southernfried to get 20% off any new system with Fast Protect Monitoring. There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.They say time waits for no one, and neither should payday--See EarnIn.com/TOS for more details.Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/SFTC.Nutrition the way nature intended, with real fruits and vegetables, not extracts. Go to FieldOfGreens.com and use promo code SOUTHERNFRIED for 15% off your first order plus free shipping. Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code SFTC at LumeDeodorant.com! #lumepodFüm: Start the Good Habit at https://tryfum.com/sftc  to save 10% off the Journey Pack today.Don’t pull the covers over your head, your health is too important. Download the Teladoc Health app today, or go to TelaDocHealth.com, to make scheduling your next doctor’s appointment so much easier.  

214: Erasing Laura Ackerson, Part 2

27-year-old Laura Jean Ackerson had a really tough start in life. The single mother of two worked hard to build her own small support system in Kinston, North Carolina. Her brother and best friend were the only people she really had. After Laura survived a whirlwind relationship with a charismatic but narcissistic musician, she faced a vicious custody battle with him. Grant Hayes was a glorified bar star and lazy husband and father. But by July 2011, Laura was finally slipping out of his controlling and abusive grasp. She was winning. Her abuser had lost control. The most dangerous time for a woman. Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Erica Kelley Andrea MarshbankOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley Case suggested by MarciaSources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/laura-ackersonRESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCEUS National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.orgCanada: visit this website to find the hotline in your areaUK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247For resources in other countries, visit this websiteThis episode is brought to you by:  Unlock Jennifer Anniston approved hair at LolaVie.com and use code SFTC at check out to get 15% off your order.  Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/SFTC

213: Erasing Laura Ackerson, Part 1

In December of 2003, 23-year-old Bart Whitaker had just finished his finals and was about to graduate from college. That night, he went to dinner to celebrate with his parents, Tricia and Kent, and his younger brother Kevin. As they returned home and walked through their door, they were ambushed by a masked gunman. Initially, authorities suspected that this was a burglary gone wrong. But before the funerals had even taken place, detectives discovered that Bart had lied about graduating. And that was just the beginning. Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank and Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioEdited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder and Erica Kelley Suggested by Jessica, Donna, Michelle, and KyleSources: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com/whitaker-family-massacreThis episode is brought to you by:  Get your year started off right with healthy new vitamins. For 50% off your first month, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code SFTC50Try the revolutionary whole body deodorant Lume. Go to Lume.com and enter code SFTC for $5 off the starter pack. Indulge in affordable luxury! Go to Quince.com and use promo code SFTC for free shipping. Sign up for Newspapers.com--your ultimate resource for exploring the mysteries of the past. Use code SFTrueCrime and get 20% off your subscription.They say time waits for no one, and neither should payday--See EarnIn.com/TOS for more details.

161: The Murder of Brad Smithwick

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