Map: Terry Smith Case

Terry Smith lived in Menifee, a Riverside County city about 75 miles southeast of Los Angeles

After a massive search for a missing boy brought out hundreds of volunteers to a semirural area of Menifee -- in Riverside County -- a body was found at the family's home.

Volunteers and family were devastated at the news on Wednesday, July 10, which had marked the fourth day of the search for Terry Smith. The 11-year-old boy's mother had described Terry as having autism.

They had scoured more than 50 square miles of land amid searing temperatures topping 100 degrees. But early Wednesday morning, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reponded to a report of human remains found at the boy's home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane.

A body that matched his description was found in a shallow grave behind the home where he lived with his mother, her partner and a 16-year-old half brother, authorities said.

The city's acting police chief said a 16-year-old family member had been arrested for murder, and an NBC4 source said the suspect is Terry's half brother.


View Terry Smith Case in a larger map

Contact Us