Mitchell Allen Smith, a 34-year-old White man from Whiteville, North Carolina, was found dead on September 9, 2019. His body was located in the back seat of his vehicle off the roadway in the 14000 block of Swamp Fox Highway East after residents discovered the wrecked car in a front yard and called 911. Witnesses reported Smith had an apparent gunshot wound to the chest and the homeowner later told 911 the passenger had fled the scene, leaving the passenger door open.

Investigators say Smith and 48-year-old Lakeithy Gene Keller were together the night of the shooting and drove a route from the Food Lion in Tabor City following Swamp Fox Hwy East. Detectives used leads including cell phone records; those records reportedly placed Keller about a half-mile from the wreck. Keller admitted being in the vehicle and gave multiple, changing accounts of what happened.

Despite reliance on circumstantial evidence, authorities arrested Keller and later say he pleaded guilty. In March 2023 he received a prison term of 189 to 239 months. Does anyone have information about Smith’s movements that night or knew the two men’s relationship?