The Murder of Kelsey Smith
Kelsey Smith had just graduated high school in the last week of May 2007. She had gone shopping on June 2, 2007 for a present to give her boyfriend on their 6-month anniversary. Kelsey left home to shop at a local Target and never returned. Her family and boyfriend attempted to call and text her with no reply. Her family went searching and Kelsey’s vehicle was found unoccupied one-half mile away from the Target store almost four hours after her disappearance. Her father, Greg Smith was a retired LEO and notified the Overland Park Police Department. Detective Bob Miller was called in due to the suspicious circumstances of the potential missing teenager. The investigation was very slow to start, but as other agencies and the media became involved, the leads came at a rapid pace. A “Person of interest” and his vehicle were identified along with physical evidence and within six hours of the start of the interview, probable cause was established and the suspect was in custody.
Presenters' Bios
Detective Bob Miller
Bob Miller began his law enforcement career right after an honorary discharge from the Army at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Department in 1989. He and his wife had a baby the prior year and decided to move back to the Midwest near family and Bob was hired at the Overland Park Police Department. Overland Park, Kansas is in the metropolitan area of Kansas City. Bob worked in several units in his 30 years at OPPD and in 2007, he was assigned to the Investigations Division working persons crimes. Bob answered his phone at midnight June 2, 2007 and became the lead investigator for the Kelsey Smith Kidnapping and Homicide. Bob retired in December 2019 and has returned to OPPD in a civilian capacity, managing the fleet of vehicles.
