Alisa Maier, 4yrs old missing 7/5/2010 from Louisiana, MO(FOUND SAFE)

[Northern Rose]

<snipped>


Officers went to the man's home about 4:30 p.m. in the city of Hawk Point, which is about halfway between where Alisa Maier was taken from her front yard Monday night and the St. Louis suburb about 70 miles away where she was found wandering around a car wash late Tuesday.

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/07/07/2069323/police-man-suspected-in-mo-abduction.html

[cartfly]

I wonder if this is related?

KSDK--A small town is on edge after a prominent mechanic and business owner is found murdered. Residents of Hawk Point say murder is just not something that happens there.

The owner of Smitty's Garage was killed by a gunshot to his head at his business Saturday night along Highway A. The Major Case Squad is investigating and pursuing leads in the case. A $10,000 reward has been donated for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. 

Investigators say that Jeff Smith was well respected in the community. He built Hotrods, muscle cars, classics, even the daily ride.  Jeff smith was the man many in Hawk Point turned to. Smith owned Smitty's Garage.

Zip Underwood says this is where he spent quality car time with Smith. "The business was Jeff Smith. It was him," said Smith.

Zip was at the garage with Smith Saturday night but after he left someone else showed up. That person had a gun. Investigators say they don't know who or why, but the suspect shot Smith once in the head killing him.

It's believed the suspect then stole Zip Underwood's '78 Anniversary silver Corvette. Underwood said it was parked inside Smitty's Garage waiting for new tires. "I think it was just an opportunity. I think the vet was there and there was an opportunity. They thought they'd take it. I don't think they broke in for my vet. No, I don't think so," said Underwood.

Underwood said his Vette was ditched just a half block from the garage. The Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad says the car is a big piece of the puzzle.

"The investigation has revealed some pieces of evidence have been seized from the car and are being analyzed," said Lt. Mark Schimweg. 

Since the murder, Underwood says he's been getting phone calls from Hawk Point residents who are afraid and want to protect themselves. Underwood has a private shooting range. He brings in instructors for those who want a conceal and carry permit. Now Underwood says more residents are interested in getting a gun.

 "People that never had a gun in their hand before and now they want to get a gun, they want to be able to protect themselves," said Underwood.   

The Major Case Squad is asking for anyone who was on Highway A near Smitty's Garage between 10PM and Midnight Saturday to please call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department. They're hoping someone has information tat could help them solve the case.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=206018

Holy crap Northern, good find. It wouldn't surprise me if it was related. I am just so glad this perp let this baby go. How could he look in that babies eyes and not feel guilty for taking her. Thank you Jesus for bringing this 'lil one home. Please give her and her family the strength they need to move forward and overcome this traumatic event.

[cartfly]

<Huggs> to you Northern for bringing all the updates for Alisa's case. I appreciate the time and dedication you and other monkeys put in on these threads!!

[flutter1]

Non-compliant sex offender, big surprise -- not.

http://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/CJ38/OffenderDetails?page=0&column=name&id=793344&lastName=Smith&suffix=&firstName=Paul&middleName=

[ospainter]

HLN's reported Paul Sterling Smith is in critical condition not dead

OS

[JessStar]

HLN's reported Paul Sterling Smith is in critical condition not dead

OS

I heard the same thing, OS.  In fact, Fox is reporting it too.  Too bad.

"By late Wednesday, he was still alive but in critical condition, Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Al Nothum said."

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/08/person-mo-abduction-shoots-self/?test=latestnews

[Blonde]

Person Of Interest In Alisa Maier's Abduction Dies
Police searching for physical evidence connecting Paul Smith to Alisa Maier abduction
John Brown
FOX2now.com
 

7:37 AM CDT, July 8, 2010
 

Alisa Maier,4

"Person of Interest" in Maier Kidnapping Shoots Self After Confrontation With Police 
Facebook Page Dedicated to Finding Alisa Maier 
Tips for Teaching Preschool Stranger Danger 
10 Stranger Danger Tips 
Authorities Believe 4-Year-Old's Abduction Was Random 
Watch The Latest Update Live on Alisa Maier, Girl Missing From Louisiana, MO 
HAWK POINT, MO - (KTVI-FOX2now.com) - The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirms that the person of interest in Alisa Maier's abduction has died. Paul Smith, a registered sex offender reportedly shot himself Wednesday evening when police tried to question him about the abduction.

The investigation continues at the Hawk Point property where a person of interest shot himself Wednesday evening. Early Thursday morning, the subject's car was towed by police from the scene. Police spent most of the evening processing the car and the property where it was located.

The suspect, Paul Smith, is a registered sex offender. Police came to Smith's home wanting to talk with him about the abduction of Alisa that occurred on Monday evening in Louisiana, Mo.

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Smith, 38, matched the description of the suspect seen dropping her off Tuesday night at the car wash in Fenton, Mo. His car also matched, but it appears he was in the process of spray painting it car just as police arrived.

Police went to the home to talk with Smith after a tip from one of his relatives. He had served 11 years in prison for a sexually molesting a 10-year-old boy in 1995. Also living at the home was another registered sex offender. James Eollermann, Jr., 54, was convicted of a sexually molesting a 7-year-old girl. He was sent to prison back on a 5-year sentence in 2004.

Thursday morning, police were still on the Hawk Point property continuing the investigation.

Hawk Point is about a half hour's drive from Louisiana.

Investigators say the public should keep their eyes open, as their suspect search is still underway.

http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-alisa-maier-paul-smith-car-towed-update-070710,0,7272374.story

[Northern Rose]

News conference planned after 'person of interest' in abduction dies

Posted Jul 08, 2010 @ 08:00 AM
Last update Jul 08, 2010 @ 08:32 AM
Louisiana, MO — Update: A news conference is planned for 10:30 a.m. in Clayton. The Courier-Post will provide full coverage.

Authorities have confirmed that a man wanted for questioning in the kidnapping of a Louisiana girl has died.
   The man, 38-year-old Paul S. Smith of Hawk Point, shot himself in the head at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at his home as deputies arrived to question him in the abduction of four-year-old Alisa Maier.
   Alisa was kidnapped Monday evening from her home at Fourth and North Carolina in Louisiana. She was found unhurt at a car wash in Fenton on Tuesday night.
   Her long hair had been cut short, but family members said she was not physically or sexually abused.   Investigators on Wednesday called Smith a “person of interest” but added the inquiry continued.
   But Alisa’s grandfather, Roy Harrison of Louisiana, said the girl pointed out Smith when a still photo of him appeared on screen while she and her family were watching television.
   “She blurted out ‘He cut my hair,’” Harrison said. “In my heart, I know he’s the one.”
   Harrison said Alisa’s six-year-old brother, Blake, the only other witness to the kidnapping, confirmed his sister’s identification of Smith.
   Smith reportedly was spray-painting his dark-colored car silver when deputies arrived after getting one of dozens of tips in the case.
   Police wanted to question Smith because he matched a description of the suspect and his car looked similar to the one the kidnapper used.
   The Missouri Sex Offender Registry listed Smith as a “non-compliant offender.” He was convicted of sodomizing a 10-year-old boy in 1995 and served about 11 years of a 15-year sentence.
   Smith was put on supervised probation after pleading guilty in February to tampering with a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.   He was scheduled for an Aug. 12 arraignment on a felony forgery charge. His middle name was listed as both Steven and Serling.   Harrison, the father of Alisa’s mother, said Wednesday the family planned to stay in the St. Louis area for a day or two before coming home.
   “We want to make sure she’s going to be OK,” he said.

http://www.hannibal.net/newsnow/x1849225380/Man-wanted-for-questioning-in-abduction-dies

[Northern Rose]

Car Suspected In Alisa Maier Kidnapping Towed
Police searching for physical evidence connecting Paul Smith to Alisa Maier abduction

HAWK POINT, MO - (KTVI-FOX2now.com) — The investigation continues at the Hawk Point property where a person of interest shot himself Wednesday evening. Early Thursday morning, the subject's car was towed by police from the scene. Police spent most of the evening processing the car and the property where it was located.

The suspect, Paul Smith, is a registered sex offender. Police came to Smith's home wanting to talk with him about the abduction of Alisa that occurred on Monday evening in Louisiana, Mo.

Smith, 38, matched the description of the suspect seen dropping her off Tuesday night at the car wash in Fenton, Mo. His car also matched, but it appears he was in the process of spray painting it car just as police arrived.

Police went to the home to talk with Smith after a tip from one of his relatives. He had served 11 years in prison for a sexually molesting a 10-year-old boy in 1995. Also living at the home was another registered sex offender. James Eollermann, Jr., 54, was convicted of a sexually molesting a 7-year-old girl. He was sent to prison back on a 5-year sentence in 2004.[/size]Thursday morning, police were still on the Hawk Point property continuing the investigation.

Hawk Point is about a half hour's drive from Louisiana.

Investigators say the public should keep their eyes open, as their suspect search is still underway.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/ktvi-alisa-maier-paul-smith-car-towed-update-070710,0,301401.story

[Northern Rose]

http://www.fox2now.com/ktvi-paul-smith-mug-shots-pg,0,1960397.photogallery

[no rose colored glasses]

Thank-you Northern. I pray that monster only cut little Alisa's hair, though I'm sorry I find that hard to believe that is all. Thank God she is safe at home with her family and friends.

[Northern Rose]

I can not find anything on his SO roommate:

Also living at the home was another registered sex offender. James Eollermann, Jr., 54, was convicted of a sexually molesting a 7-year-old girl. He was sent to prison back on a 5-year sentence in 2004.

[Northern Rose]

UPDATE: Paul S. Smith confirmed as Alisa Maier's kidnapper (with video)

HAWK POINT, Mo. (KMOX)  -- Investigators announced Thursday morning that they have enough evidence to officially declare that Paul S. Smith, a 38-year-old registered sex offender, was indeed the person who abducted 4-year-old Alisa Maier from her Louisiana, MO home Monday night.

He'd earlier been referred to as a "person of interest" in the case.

Smith died around 10:30 pm Wednesday, hours after he shot himself as police closed in on his home in Hawk Point, MO.

At the time, Smith was using silver paint to cover up his dark-colored sedan, very similar to the one described by witnesses who saw the car that dropped off Alisa in Fenton Tuesday evening.

"We got here, really, with a lot of hard work," St. Louis County police chief Tim Fitch said Thursday morning outside police headquarters.  "A lot of good, old-fashioned detective work."

Fitch says the big break wasn't a tip from a relative of Smith - he says despite earlier reports, that never happened - but the fact that investigators noticed that, in addition to her close-cropped haircut, Alisa was also wearing different clothing than at the time of her disappearance.

"Based on that information, we were able to track that back to a Wal-Mart store (in Troy, MO)," Fitch said.  "With the cooperation of Wal-Mart we were able to get some video information...video evidence...that led us to Paul Smith."

He also confirmed rumors that when the girl saw photos of Smith on television, she identified him as "the man who cut my hair."

Investigators will have to wait on results of forensics tests, which could take weeks or even months, but for now they're convinced Paul S. Smith was the man who took Alisa Maier from her home Monday night.


http://www.kmox.com/UPDATE--Paul-S--Smith-confirmed-as-Alisa-Maier-s-k/7642708

[Northern Rose]

 LIVE VIDEO: Homecoming for Alisa Maier in Louisiana, Missouri at 1:30

http://www.ksdk.com/video/live/live_2.aspx

[my2cents]

15 years for sexual assault of a child is not enough! And he did not even do all of that time ! And continued to break the law after he got out ! WTH !!! When are they going to stop letting these people out so that children do not have to serve their sentence....This Must Stop !!!....UGH .....Infuriated

[Northern Rose]

New details on dead abduction suspect

Police confirmed Thursday that Paul Smith, who shot himself and later died after being approached by police Wednesday, is the suspect in the abduction of Alisa Maier.

Maier, a 4-year-old from Louisiana, Mo., was found alive Tuesday in Fenton, and is expected to return to her hometown with her family soon.

“I think I can sum it up in two words: It’s over,” said St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch late Thursday morning. He said that although there is a lot of investigation still to be done, there is no reason to believe Smith, 38, was not the suspect they were seeking.

Police tracked down Smith using the clothing Maier was wearing when she was found. They determined it was not the clothing she had on when she was abducted, and worked with Walmart to track it to a location in Troy, Mo., Fitch said.

Police saw Smith purchasing the clothing on surveillance video. Maier was not with him when he purchased the clothing, police said. He paid in cash. Fitch said Smith also bought cigarettes, which prompted the cashier to enter his date of birth. That information, along with the video, eventually led police to Smith’s residence at 309 Highway D in Hawk Point in Lincoln County.

Smith was a registered sex offender, but Fitch could not say whether the suspect was registered at the Hawk Point address. However, state records indicate Smith lives at the home on Highway D. According to the Missouri Sex Offender Registry, Paul Smith is a registered sex offender who is listed as non-compliant. Smith's record includes charges of sodomy against a 10-year-old in Rolla, Mo., in 1994 and 1995. Smith was 23 at the time. His address listed on the sex offender registry is a St. Louis address.

When officers approached Smith around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, he was in the act of spray painting his vehicle, a 1991 Mazda Protégé, silver. The vehicle had been described as a black or dark brown four door car, possibly a Ford Escort. It was also described as having a loud muffler.

Police said when Smith was approached, he shot himself and died around 10:30 p.m. from his injuries.

There is still no word on Smith’s connection to Louisiana, Mo., and it is not believed that he knew the Maier family, police said.

Fitch said police have not ruled out the possibility that Smith was not working alone, and it could be months before all the forensic work relating to the case is complete. Investigators would not confirm reports that Smith lived with another sex offender at the Highway D address. However, they did say they'd like to talk to the person who lived there with Smith even though he is not a suspect at this time.

Police are also looking into whether Smith had any involvement in other cases, such as the shooting death of a Hawk Point business owner Saturday. The victim, Jeffrey D. Smith, 49, was reportedly found critically injured on the ground in front of Smitty’s Garage located at 205 Highway A around 11:30 Saturday. He later died from his injuries.

Louisiana Police Chief Rich Hughes said he is relieved that Maier safe and with her family, and that there is a complete conclusion to the case.

“Louisiana is a very resilient community,” Hughes said. “It may be small but we’re good at bouncing back.”

Fitch thanked the public for providing leads, and said the attention the case received put a lot of pressure on Smith, which may have affected his decisions.

“People are plugged into what’s going on; it’s not like some big metropolis where something like this escapes attention,” he said.

Police are asking anyone who knew Smith or has information on where he took Maier before she was found to contact them at (314) 889-2341.

http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/jul/08/new-details-dead-suspect-abduction-alisa-maier/

[Northern Rose]

Alisa Maier has returned to her Louisiana, Missouri home




KSDK -- Alisa Maier is home.

Nearly three days since police said she was abducted from her front yard by Paul Smith, the four-year-old Louisiana, Missouri girl is back home with her parents.

She arrived around 1:30 p.m.

Alisa and her parents had been staying at an undisclosed hotel since she was released from Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital Wednesday morning. 

See also: Alisa Maier abduction suspect Paul Smith dies

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=206504&catid=40

[Northern Rose]

Homecoming preparations for Alisa Maier NewsChannel 5's Kathleen Berger and Ryan Dean report on the preparations for Alisa Maier's homecoming.

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=110937819001

[Northern Rose]

A homecoming for Alisa Maier NewsChannel 5's Ryan Dean reports on the preparations for Alisa Maier's homecoming.

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=110934195001

[Northern Rose]

Paul Smith's old apartment complex a crime scene after body found‎
KSDK - 1 hour ago

St. Louis -- A body has been removed from an apartment complex where Paul Smith, the man who police say kidnapped Alisa Maier, once lived.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=206494&catid=3