Dad Fights Killer Mom's Parole 30 Years Later

Thirty-two years ago, David Smith's sons, Michael and Alex, were tragically drowned by their mother, Susan Smith. She initially fabricated a story about a carjacking in Union, South Carolina, to conceal her crime. David Smith has since been devoted to keeping his ex-wife in prison and will appear before the South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons to advocate against her release.

Susan Smith confessed to the murders after investigators uncovered inconsistencies in her narrative, including the traffic light detail. She drowned her sons, aged 3 and 14 months, by rolling their car into John D. Long Lake. Convicted of two counts of murder, she has been serving a sentence of 30 years to life.

David Smith continues to grapple with the profound loss and the enduring pain of his sons' deaths. He describes the memory as if it were yesterday and emphasizes the importance of reminding the parole board of the lasting heartache. The community of Union, South Carolina, also remembers the tragedy, with a memorial at John D. Long Lake still adorned with toys and mementos.

Susan Smith has expressed remorse and cited struggles with postpartum depression during her parole hearing. However, the parole board unanimously rejected her release request. David Smith, now remarried with two adult children, remains steadfast in his commitment to honor Michael and Alex's memory by opposing his ex-wife's freedom, stating he has forgiven her but will not forget.

David Smith plans to attend all future parole hearings for Susan Smith, carrying a photograph of his sons as a reminder of their lost lives. He acknowledges the difficulty of the ongoing struggle but is motivated by the phrase, "Get busy living, or get busy dying." He hopes to prevent her release, fearing an encounter with her in public.