COLUMBIA — The state parole board has unanimously denied parole for Susan Smith, the mother whose case shocked the nation after she was convicted of murdering her two young sons nearly 30 years ago in South Carolina.
On October 25, 1994, Susan Smith drowned her sons, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex, by rolling her car into John D. Long Lake in Union County while they were strapped in their car seats. Initially, she fabricated a story claiming that a Black man had carjacked her and taken her children, pleading for their safe return through tears on national television before ultimately confessing to her crime.
During the parole hearing, Smith expressed deep remorse, saying, “I just want to say how very sorry I am.” With her head in her hands, she described her actions as horrifying and wished for the ability to change the past.
Her lawyer, Tommy Thomas, argued that Smith has shown signs of mental illness throughout her life, stemming from childhood trauma and undiagnosed postpartum depression. He mentioned her supportive network, including her brother, who would provide her with a home if released. Smith, currently pursuing a counseling degree through an online Christian college, shared a letter in which she detailed her troubled mental state during the incident, believing she was acting in the best interests of her children.
Despite her pleas, a group of 15 individuals, including her ex-husband David Smith and state officials, spoke against her release, emphasizing that her decision was deliberate rather than a tragic mistake. David Smith expressed, “She made a free choice that night to end their life.”
The board’s decision to deny parole was influenced by the heinous nature of the crime, public outrage, and Smith’s behavior in prison. Recently, she faced disciplinary action for violating prison rules by speaking to a documentary filmmaker about her past.
Throughout the hearing, Smith acknowledged her wrongdoing, particularly expressing remorse to the law enforcement officials involved in the search for her children. She stated she had been “scared” during the initial aftermath of her crime. The emotional weight of the case resonated with both the parole board and the attendees who spoke against her release.
Smith is eligible for parole again in 2026, but her ex-husband, David, vowed to continue opposing her attempts for freedom, ensuring that the memory of her sons remains paramount in any future proceedings.
This case is a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding mental health and crime, highlighting the profound impact on families and communities affected by such tragedies. While the board’s decision brings some measure of closure for Michael and Alex’s family, it also emphasizes the ongoing need for compassionate mental health support and awareness in society.