Patrick Smith, 49, died on October 30, 2021, after being shot during an attempted robbery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Smith had arranged to spend the weekend with 28-year-old Katerena Bedjan, whom he had met days earlier. Bedjan communicated with an accomplice, 18-year-old Leo Watkins, telling him Smith was carrying cash.

Shortly after Bedjan and Smith were in her car outside the Sands Ocean Club Resort, Bedjan texted Watkins to signal their location. Watkins arrived armed with a 9mm pistol, opened the car door and tried to take Smith’s wallet. When Smith resisted, Watkins fired a single, fatal shot. Smith was pronounced dead at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Both Bedjan and Watkins were arrested. Bedjan pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery and was sentenced to 15 years; Watkins later pleaded guilty to murder and attempted armed robbery and received a 40-year sentence for murder with a concurrent 20-year term for attempted armed robbery. Members of Smith’s family gave impact statements at sentencing describing their loss.

Did anyone in the Myrtle Beach area see Smith that night or notice the vehicle outside the Sands Ocean Club Resort?