WOODLAND, Maine — Over the past four years, Maine State Police detectives have followed up on countless leads in the case of a 56-year-old man who was killed inside the sawmill he operated adjacent to his home. Despite diligent work, none of the tips have led to the killer.
But shortly after the four-year anniversary in February, the reward for information leading police to the killer of Darrel Smith hit $60,000. That has boosted hopes that someone will come forward with information to help detectives crack the case wide open.
“We have new and updated information that comes into this case almost weekly,” state police Detective Sgt. John Cote said during a recent interview. “And we have a detective who reviews it. I think that all that it will take is just that one little piece of information to lead us to the killer or killers. This is an active case.”
The reward stood at $40,000 just before the four-year anniversary of the killing, which took place on Feb. 6, 2008. Smith was alone when someone walked into his small sawmill on Thomas Road in Woodland, robbed him and shot him to death. They left his body for his wife, Barbara, to find.
Smith owned and operated Smith’s Sawmill and Logging, which was next to his home in this community of about 1,400 that abuts Caribou in Aroostook County.
State police said Smith was shot to death in the early afternoon, and they believe robbery may have been the motive. He was found dead inside his workshop in the evening.
Smith’s wallet was taken and a safe was missing from the residence.
Since Smith had no signs advertising the establishment and word of mouth was used to secure business, police believe that his killer or killers had to be familiar with the sawmill. It looks like a private residence. Police believe the perpetrator or perpetrators also knew he was running a cash-only business and would have money on hand since he did not accept credit or debit cards at his facility.
“I don’t know if he knew his killer,” Cote said. “But we believe they had to be familiar with the sawmill and know that he would have cash on hand there.”
Police have not released details about the crime scene or said whether there were signs of a struggle. They have recovered the safe and the weapon used to kill Smith, but would not comment on where the items were found.
Multiple pieces of evidence have been submitted to the State Police Crime Lab in Augusta for examination, and some of the evidence also has been sent to FBI laboratories for analysis.
Over the past few years, police have characterized Smith as a simple, hardworking man who was well-liked. No one has come forward to give police the name of any enemy he might have had. Investigators have looked at the family and those close to the victim and eliminated them as suspects.
Cote said that police are still looking for the driver of a small, dark-colored pickup truck that was seen on Thomas Road around noon the day of the shooting. The vehicle had its hazard lights on and the hood was up, indicating the truck may have been having mechanical trouble.
“That truck remains of interest to us,” he said. “We want to know if it played a role in the murder. Was someone sitting in the truck waiting for the victim to leave his house and go into the sawmill? We don’t know.”
Cote said that one of the most frustrating things for detectives is that they continue to hear that the identity of the killer is an “open secret” in the community.
“Despite that, no one will come forward to police,” he said. “But donations keep coming in to the reward fund, and that is very encouraging. To us, that shows that the support for the family is increasing.”
Members of the public who have any information about the crime are encouraged to call the Maine State Police at 800-924-2261 or Crime Stoppers at 800-638-TIPS.
“Open Secret?” It seems as if people don’t want to get involved. What a shame.
If its an open secret, and no one’s come forward, then the killer is someone that everyone is afraid of.. local crimelord or kingpin?
I’ve lived near the Smith’s home for years and knew Darrel and can honestly say that I can’t think of anyone that fits the description of a crimelord/kingpin/or bully. And, the open secret theory must be more secret then open because I’ve never heard a word. RIP Darrel and take care Barb.
More of the ‘Stop Snitching’ baloney? That’s been on a serious decline in Boston, but things change slowly in the County. (I’m a native)
The person may be “known” but the police need that piece of evidence that connects the individual to the crime. To proceed without that evidence could lead to a not guilty verdict and once not guilty is rendered in a trial you cannot be tried again for the same offense. The Maine State Police will solve this case.
If you know, say.
We all know, hearsay is exactly that, hearsay. HOWEVER, there are people that know precisely what happened that afternoon. How they function, day after day, is beyond me. I don’t think I would call it an ‘open secret’. As with all ‘rumor mills’, there are bits and pieces that there are truth in. I do believe that the SP have that much figured out. But, as MikeCInMaine said, there are certain individuals involved that I feel, others may be afraid of. To have done something as heinous as this act, who’s to say that any accomplices family members or friends may have been threatened with harm, if said accomplices came forward? (which is part of my belief) Having witnessed or been part of this act, you ARE hurting so many innocent people with your silence. Wouldn’t it be better to come forward? Our family, friends and community would finally have some closure and feel a little more secure. Your conscience(s) will be freed and no harm would come to any other innocent people. YOUR family and friends included! So please, if you even remotely think you know anything or heard anything, tell the SP and let them do their job and check it out. It may or may not be something they have heard before, we don’t know that. It may just be what is needed to bring this full circle and hold those responsible, accountable. Lastly, thank you to Jen Lynds for your talented writing. I hope the next piece you write will be the capture of those responsible!
There’s a difference between open speculation and open secret. If people knew, they would say because Darrel was a good guy who never hurt anyone. I hope thet catch the scum and hang him by the balls over an open fire.
this is a terrible burden to carry for all this time.A thing like that must of changed the person or persons who know who it is.I will pray that God will work His miracle of love and conviction on the person or persons.It will be a terrible thing to take it to your grave to think of for eternity!