James Carson Smith, known as Jamie, was a 45-year-old supervisor at Cureton Corrosion from Kilgore, Texas. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and football. Smith died on January 25, 2014; initial circumstances were unclear but investigators later determined he was killed during a violent robbery.

Authorities identified 27-year-old Edward James Hawthorne and several juveniles as suspects in the confrontation that led to Smith’s death. Law enforcement pursued and apprehended Hawthorne and the juveniles, who were charged with murder and robbery and later convicted.

The case involved multiple agencies and a detailed crime-scene examination. Smith’s family, friends, and coworkers in Kilgore mourned a well-known community member.