A stolen phone ended up becoming the key piece of evidence in uncovering a double murder in Alaska.
In 2019, a woman identified as Valerie Casler handed police material containing photographs and videos related to the death of Kathleen Henry, a 30-year-old woman. Investigators recognized Brian Steven Smith’s voice in the recordings and began piecing together what had happened.
The source of the material was a matter of controversy during the trial, as Casler gave different accounts of how it had come into her possession. At one point, she said she had found a memory card on the street, then said she had stolen it from Smith’s vehicle, and later stated that she had stolen his phone and found the files on it.
The recordings and other evidence helped link Smith to Henry’s death. But the investigation would reveal something even more disturbing: while being questioned, Smith also provided information about the death of Veronica Abouchuk, who had disappeared months earlier. Her remains had been misidentified, and thanks to the information provided by Smith, authorities were able to locate her and confirm her identity.
What began with material found in the possession of a third person ended up uncovering two murders. In February 2024, Smith was found guilty of all 14 charges he faced.