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It's been over nine months since Fox Executive Gavin Smith disappeared without a trace. But at long last Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives have found a key item in the case: the Mercedes Benz that went missing along with Smith.Smith, who was 57 when he disappeared, hasn't been found, but sheriff's detectives say now that they're treating his case as a homicide case—not just a missing person case. Detectives found his car at a storage facility in Simi Valley on February 21, and the storage facility was linked to a drug dealer John Creech, according to a release from the sheriff's department.
Creech is currently in jail on unrelated drug charges, but his is a name that keeps coming up in the case. His house was raided by SWAT team member this past June. Creech said he didn't know Smith, but there was a rumor that Smith and Creech's wife Chandrika Creech met through a therapy group and had an affair. And in January, investigators said that when they found a Hummer belonging to Creech it was a key break in the case (although they gave few clues about what it meant to the case).
Now investigators are looking for clues about how the Mercedes belonging to Smith ended up in Creech's storage unit. They said they believe it was transported to the storage facility sometime around May 8 or 9.
They said in a release that the state of the car led them to believe foul play was involved, "Based on the vehicle's condition and information developed from persons cooperating in the investigation, homicide detectives are now investigating this case as a homicide."
Smith was last seen at a friend's home in Oak Park on May 1 of last year and he hasn't been heard from since. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Related:
Key Clue Turns Up In Case Of Fox Exec Missing 8 Months Now
Why Did Deputies Raid A Drug Dealer's Home In Missing Fox Executive Case?
SWAT Team Searches Home In Connection With Gavin Smith Case
20th Century Fox Executive Disappeared 4 Days Ago Without a Trace
