Details Have Emerged Involving Baltimore’s Jacquelyn Smith Panhandling Murder; Husband & Step Daughter Are Arrested

When news broke in 2018 that Jacquelyn Smith was killed after allegedly giving money to a panhandler, many people felt sad and offered support to her family. However, it appears it was her family that may have killed her.

According to the Baltimore Sun, both Keith Smith, 52, and his daughter, Valerie Smith, 28, were arrested by the Texas State Police near the U.S.-Mexico border. The duo were attempting to flee the country on Sunday.

“The information and evidence points it wasn’t a panhandler,” Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said. “People take advantage of Baltimore. We want to make sure the truth comes out and justice is done.”

Keith claimed Jacquelyn was stabbed while she was helping a panhandler, and even added an attempted heroic deed to catch the imaginary killers. “…Before I knew it, the girl snatched the little pocketbook from the seat and they both ran,” Keith said. “I jumped out the car to run, but I heard my wife screaming, so I came back to the car.”

The story got so much attention that Oprah Winfrey expressed concern with giving people money on the street in the future. Warrants were issued charging both Keith and Valerie with first-degree murder in death of Jacquelyn.

“We pursued justice from the very beginning and these detectives were very tenacious, were very thorough and very dedicated and they followed the evidence,” said Harrison.