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| Contributed Photo This 2005 photo shows Darrel Smith and his wife Barbara vacationing in New England. Darrel’s murder remains unsolved. |
By Natalie De La Garza
Staff Writer
WOODLAND — Tomorrow will mark six years since Darrel Smith was shot and killed during an apparent robbery of his Thomas Road workshop, but justice has yet to be served.
The safe that was stolen from the shop and the gun used in the murder have been recovered, but in the best interest of the case, officials are not disclosing where or under what circumstances the items were found.
Darrel’s wife, Barbara Smith, is still hoping that someone will come forward with information even six years after the murder.
“I know we’ve been asking every year if anyone’s got any information,” Barbara said. “They might not think it’s relevant or much, but please turn it in — it might be something (officials have) already checked but if it isn’t, they certainly will.”
Remaining unsolved, Barbara expressed that the case seems at a standstill.
“I think it’s close, but they’re missing some evidence,” she said.
Barbara arrived home from work six years ago and discovered the body of her husband, the crime having taken place several hours before. Any possible markings left behind by the perpetrator had been destroyed by the harsh wind and heavy snowfall of that day.
She’s told detective with the Maine State Police Adam Stoutamyer that she doesn’t want him going forward with the case until the evidence is sufficient.
“He was over the other day, and we were discussing the situation,” she described, adding that they’re in regular contact.
Though tomorrow marks the six-year anniversary, finding justice for Darrel is still on the minds of many year-round.
“I’m asked every day,” Barbara said. “Every place I go, it’s the first thing out of their mouth, ‘anything new on Darrel.’”
Darrel’s still in the minds and memories of many, and most remember their neighbor’s sense of humor.
“I won’t call him a prankster, but he always had a comeback for everybody,” she said with smile.
There’s one story in particular that she likes sharing, and it’s centered around onions because “Darrel despised onions,” Barbara emphasized.
“My friends have a couple daughters, and he used to always joke with them; every Christmas they would wrap up the biggest onion they could find, and that was his gift,” Barbara said, laughing at the memories and adding how she got one of the girls back this year by gifting her a giant Christmas onion.
“I went to the cemetery one day, and beside the stone was a pot of green onions growing with the green tops. They didn’t have to tell me who it was from, I knew who did it. It was just a big joke between them, because they didn’t like onions either,” Barbara said.
Barbara does not want the community to forget about her husband’s death and pleads with anyone who may have useful information to contact the Caribou or state police, or even Barbara herself.
“I understand people may be afraid to contact the police,” Barbara admitted. “I don’t care if they just want to call me. I can relay any information to the police to find out if it’s already been investigated.”
Barbara also reminds the public that a $55,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction is still available, a combination of monies provided by the Smith family and a public fund.
“Both my $40,000 and the public reward are for the arrest and conviction for the person(s) responsible for this murder,” Barbara advised.
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Caribou Police at 493-3301, the state police at 800-924-2261, or Crime Stoppers at 800-638-TIPS. Contributions to the public fund may be sent to Aroostook County Federal Savings and Loan Association at PO Box 808, Caribou, ME 04736.
