Kelsey Smith: "Murdered at First Sight: Without A Trace"

Above, Kelsey Smith.

Greg Smith, father of Kelsey Smith, posted a relatively new video from the Roku Channel. It is titled, "Murdered at First Sight: Without A Trace" the story of the June 2007 kidnapping and murder of Kelsey. 

According to Greg:

This documentary was filmed last year and originally aired in the UK (and also in Europe, I think). It is now on the Roku Channel or you can click the link in Tim's post below.

I just viewed the video in its entirety and it brings back sad memories of that time. I started following the case when it first broke. I was at my mom's and Greta Van Sustern had the story on her program. It hit home with me as my daughter at the time was interested in going to veterinary school, like Kelsey, and was only a few years older. When I started following the case, Kelsey hadn't been found yet and her parents were trying to get Kelsey's cell phone ping information from the cell company. 

I followed the story on the Fox News Channel and online, even at work. It was after the police got the cell phone ping information, they were able to find Kelsey's body pretty quick. 

Above, yours truly with Greg Smith at the Kansas Capitol Building in 2016.

During my 2016 trip to Metropolis, Illinois to attend Noel Neill's celebration of life services, I stopped in the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas for a visit with Greg Smith, who was then a state senator. That was one of the things I wanted to accomplish on the trip. It was a big honor that he took the time for me to meet him. He and his wife Missey founded the Kelsey Smith Foundation to educate people on missing persons and what to do should they find themselves in that situation. Their hard work had the Kelsey Smith Act enacted in many states.

To view the video, go here.

"Three Days To Live" Episode On Kelsey Smith Tonight

Above, Armand with Greg Smith in Topeka, Kansas last November.

Greg Smith, father of Kelsey Smith, posted on Facebook that a new episode of Three Days To Live will focus on Kelsey's kidnapping and murder.

It airs on the Oxygen network tonight at 6:00 (5:00 Central Time).

The show summary:

When a cop's daughter Kelsey fails to return home from a shopping trip, he fears the worst. Detectives know they have little time to track down the missing Kansas teen.

I met Greg Smith last November at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas.

For more information, go here. There are several video "sneak peeks" here.

Kelsey Smith Safety Awareness Seminar

Above, Sen. Greg Smith.

After posting about the upcoming (February 17) Investigation Discovery documentary on the Kelsey Smith case this morning, I found videos of the Kelsey Smith Safety Awareness Seminar conducted by her father, Kansas State Senator Greg Smith (Overland Park) at YouTube.

It is one complete seminar divided into 8 videos shot by photographer Tim Galyean in 2010. These videos should be seen by everyone, especially by those who have young daughters.

It would be best to view them with your children.





Here are the videos (in order):

Kelsey Smith Story On Investigation Discovery's "See No Evil" February 17

Above, Kelsey Smith.

Ever since I began this blog, I have posted links to the Kelsey Smith Foundation, whose mission is to educate women on personal safety.

Investigation Discovery is starting a new show, See No Evil. Their first episode, to be shown Tuesday, February 17 will be on the Kelsey Smith kidnapping and murder of June 2007. The title of the episode, "It Looked Like An Ordinary Shopping Trip."

Here are are the promos of the episode:







The program will also feature Kelsey's parents, Greg (now a Kansas State Senator) and Missey Smith.

Greg Smith Wins GOP Nomination For Kansas Senate District 21

Greg Smith won his Kansas Senate (District 21) primary race in yesterday's voting. He will face Democrat Juanita Roy in November.

He was just one of many conservatives who routed moderates during the Kansas Primary Election.

According to the Kansas City Star:

Conservative Republicans scored big wins across Kansas on Tuesday as they set themselves up to seize control of the state Senate and clear a path for Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s agenda.

Moderates lost in many key Senate races in Tuesday’s GOP primary, including five of six seats that were up for grabs in Johnson County.

Congratulations, Greg!



Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/08/3749775/conservatives-seize-control-of.html#storylink=cpy

5 Years Ago

Five years ago tonight, I went over to the local Best Buy in Woodland Hills.  I decided to buy a DVD to watch.

I ended up buying So Proudly We Hail, starring Claudette Colbert and (future Superman) George Reeves.

At the same time, a tragedy was unfolding half-way across the country in Overland Park, Kansas.  

Recent high school graduate Kelsey Smith was abducted from a Target parking lot that evening.  This led to a family's frantic search and a drama that captured the attention of a nation.

Thanks to a security camera video, cell phone pings, police detective work and the total ineptness of the killer, Kelsey was found and her killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Today begins a time of remembrance and reflection.

Kelsey Smith Act On Hawaii Governor's Desk

Above, Kelsey Smith.

Great news!

Greg Smith, father of Kelsey Smith, reported over at Facebook today:

• We received word from Hawaii State Senator Espero that the Kelsey Smith Act has been sent to the governor's desk for approval.

What is the Kelsey Smith Act?  According to the Kelsey Smith Foundation:

The Kelsey Smith Act provides law enforcement with a way to quickly ascertain the location of a wireless telecommunications device if a person has been determined, by law enforcement, to be at risk of death or serious physical harm due to being kidnapped and/or missing. 

As of January 26, 2012 the Kelsey Smith Act has been passed by the following states (in order of passage): Nebraska, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and North Dakota.

It has been proposed in: Missouri, Hawaii, and Massachusetts

It has also been proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives and the province of Alberta, Canada.

 If we can only get the California legislature off their duffs and have the Kelsey Smith Act passed in California...

This coming June 2 will mark the fifth anniversary of Kelsey Smith's kidnapping and murder.

Greg Smith To Run For Kansas Senate

Kansas State Representative Greg Smith (R-Overland Park) issued the following news release:

State Representative Greg Smith (R) announced Wednesday, August 30, 2010 that he will run for the senate seat in Senate District 8 which is currently held by Sen. Tim Owens.

Rep. Greg Smith is well known as the father of murder victim, Kelsey Smith, a strong advocate of crime victims’ rights and the rule of law. He has worked tirelessly in the Kansas House to sponsor and promote legislation that protects youth and young adults from violent predators and led the effort to successfully bring the state of Kansas in compliance with the Adam Walsh Act. He also sponsored and successfully guided to passage legislation that protects crime victims’ rights by allowing District Attorneys to convene grand juries to investigate serious felonies.

Additionally, he supported efforts to lower the tax burden on Kansans, reduce the size and scope of state government, pushed for fiscal accountability and transparency, as well as worked to allow the private sector to create jobs for Kansans. Rep. Smith had both a perfect attendance record and voting record in the 2011 Session of the Legislature.

Smith, who is also a high school social studies teacher, labored to keep Johnson County money in Johnson County schools. He believes that Kansas public schools should benefit our children and not benefit special interest groups.

When asked why he was moving from the House to the Senate, Representative Smith said that he has been disappointed by the lack of will by the Senate to support pragmatic solutions to the many problems that Kansas faces. “The status quo will not bring about needed changes to make Kansas a leader in job creation and quality public education. The Kansas House exhibited strong leadership this past session. It’s time for the Senate to lead as well and I feel I can help best facilitate that by moving to the Senate,” said Smith.

Greg would be a great asset in the Kansas Senate. He is one man who can shake things up and accomplished.

For more information on Greg Smith, go here.

Jamie Sheets, 16, Missing Since May 18

This was passed on by Greg Smith, Kansas House Representative and father of Kelsey Smith:



To see a .pdf of the above flyer, go here.

Batting .500!

During this recent election cycle, I endorsed two candidates: Mark Reed for congress in California's 27th C.D. and Greg Smith for the Kansas House of Representatives in Overland Park, Kansas.




Unfortunately, Mark Reed didn't win election. The district is heavily Democrat as it is gerrymandered into a u-shape that makes no sense to the common voter. Reed didn't have much in the way of funding, but he did put what he was able to raise to good use. I think he has a future and if he tries again with better funding (plus a re-drawn district that evens things out), he might just make it.




Fortunately, Greg Smith won his election against a Democrat incumbent. Greg is the father of Kelsey Smith, whose murder made national news. Greg has been a tireless advocate for women's safety through the Kelsey Smith Foundation and accomplished the passage of the Kelsey Smith Act in Kansas and other states requiring cell phone providers to cooperate with law enforcement in cases of missing persons. He will do Kansas proud!

So, for this election cycle, I am batting .500!

NRA Endorses Greg Smith For Kansas House

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has endorsed Greg Smith, who is running for the Kansas House in District 22 in Overland Park.

According to Smith's campaign website:

The NRA has endorsed Greg Smith, Republican candidate for Kansas House, district 22, for the house race. Greg also earned an "A" rating from the NRA.

Congratulations, Greg!

Greg Smith, For Responsive and Responsible Representation For Kansas House District 22

The polls are now closed in the state of Kansas, and the candidates of both parties are on pins and needles over tonight's primary election results.


Right, Greg Smith, his wife Missey with their daughter Kelsey.

Fortunately, in Kansas House District 22, which encompasses Overland Park, Kansas, GOP candidate Greg Smith ran unopposed in the Republican primary. He will face Democrat incumbent Lisa Benlon in the general election campaign.

Benlon is decidedly an Obama liberal. In recent ratings:

Benlon has received from the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund a grade of F (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F). This puts her in with the gun-grabbers wing of the the Democrat Party.

She has also received a rating of 10 (out of 100) from the Americans for Prosperity- Kansas Chapter (formerly The Kansas Taxpayer's Network), a taxpayers' rights organization. She's definitely not a friend of Kansas taxpayers.

Greg Smith is a first-time candidate and the only first-timer who has achieved legislative success in Kansas as well as in other states with the Kelsey Smith Act. The Kelsey Smith Act requires cell phone providers to cooperate with law enforcement in missing persons cases.

Smith's daughter Kelsey was kidnapped and murdered in June 2007 after leaving a Target department store in Overland Park. She was found by law enforcement after her cell phone provider provided searchers with her cell phone ping data several days after her abduction. She would have been found sooner had her cell phone provider provided this data earlier.

Greg Smith is running on a conservative issues platform. His campaign website has an issues page. To see where Greg Smith stands on the issues, go here.

I generally don't endorse candidates in other states, but this year I made an exception as I have already enthusiastically endorsed Greg Smith for the Kansas House.

Armand's Endorsement Posted At Greg Smith's Campaign Website

Above, Greg, Kelsey and Missey Smith.

Greg Smith, who is the GOP nominee for the Kansas House in District 22, posted my endorsement of his candidacy on his campaign website last month. To see his posting, go here.

Regular Rancho readers will know that Greg is the father of Kelsey Smith, who was kidnapped and murdered three years ago (it's hard to believe that three years has already gone by) just after her high school graduation. Her case caught national attention. Fortunately, her killer was caught and convicted and is now serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole in Kansas.

Kelsey's case also caught my attention since I also have a daughter who wants to be a veterinarian, as Kelsey aspired to be.

I have corresponded with Greg since that time and had followed the trial of Kelsey's killer. Greg impressed me with the way he and his family rallied in the wake of Kelsey's death to turn a horrible, life-changing tragedy into something that will benefit the public good. They formed the Kelsey Smith Foundation whose mission is to educate young women in personal safety.

Also, since that time, Greg has been a tireless advocate in getting the Kelsey Smith Act enacted all around the country. The Act would require cell phone provider companies to fully cooperate with law enforcement in locating missing persons.


Greg and Missey Smith's efforts were recognized last year when they received a FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (above).

Greg is a real go-getter and would be a great asset in the Kansas House. This is one endorsement I was proud to make.

Greg Smith For Kansas House of Representatives

Right, Greg and Missey Smith with daughter Kelsey.

There is one candidate for a state legislator's seat whom I have endorsed this year. Generally, I don't get myself involved in other states' issues or with their candidates, but one man has earned my admiration and respect.

His name is Greg Smith, who is a candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives from Overland Park, Kansas.

Greg and his family caught my attention three years ago when his daughter Kelsey was kidnapped and murdered. This also caught the attention of the national media.

In the aftermath of Kelsey's murder, Greg and his family rolled up their sleeves and started the Kelsey Smith Foundation so that young women in Kansas and other states can be educated in self-protection to prevent more abductions and murders.

Greg is a former law enforcement officer and teacher. I was not surprised to learn that he his a conservative Republican, given the way he has worked around the country to get The Kelsey Smith Act enacted in other states. The Act mandates that cell phone providers fully cooperate with law enforcement in cases of kidnappings where a cell phone's "ping" can lead to a rescue or recovery of a kidnapping victim.

Greg recently wrote of his philosophy on taxes and fiscal responsibility as well as the differences of R.I.N.O. Republicans (Republicans In Name Only) and those who share his philosophy:

Granted, if you look to see if there is an "R" or a "D" behind the name of those who voted in favor of raising taxes and increasing spending, several of the legislators do have an "R" behind their name but they do not have the political philosophy of a conservative Republican. Take for example, Senator Tim Owens of Overland Park. He has an "R" behind his name. He's even my senator but he does not share my philosophy on spending and limited government. Senator Owen consistently votes to raise taxes and expand government. In the Kansas House, my representative, Lisa Benlon (and my opponent in the upcoming election), has a "D" behind her name. She also votes consistently for higher taxes and the expansion of government. I expect that from a Democrat. I can respect her for voting that way even though I disagree with it.

I've already endorsed Greg Smith for the Kansas House of Represatives. We need more candidates like him to hold the line on excessive taxation and spending.

For more on Greg and his campaign, go here.

No Clues Found In New Kopetsky Search

A search today of a wooded area near Kansas City failed to turn up any clues to the disappearance of Kara Kopetsky.

The Kansas City Star reported:

More than 220 officers with law enforcement agencies started an exhaustive examination of a 400-acre area just east of the former Richards-Gebaur airport, near East 155th Street and U.S. 71., about 9 a.m. today. It was over about 1 p.m.

The area has been searched before, “but never a shoulder-to-shoulder grid search,” said FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton.

Kopetsky was last seen at Belton High School on May 4, 2007 by the school's security cameras as she was heading for an exit. A month later, Kelsey Smith of Overland Park, Kansas was abducted from a Target store and found murdered days later near Grandview, Missouri. Her killer is now serving a life sentence.

It is unclear what sparked authorities' interest in the area that led to the search today.

To read the full Star article, go here.

Amber Dubois Remains Found

Fox News is reporting that skeletal remains of Amber Dubois has been found:

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Skeletal remains discovered in a rural area of California were identified Sunday as those of Amber DuBois, a 14-year-old San Diego girl who had been missing for more than a year.

Fox News Radio reported the body was identified following a brief press conference.

San Diego County Sheriff Michael Gore said the remains were found in the area of Pala, in East County, Calif.

Dubois was last seen walking alone to school on Feb. 13, 2009.

There has been renewed interest in her disappearance following the murder of another San Diego teen, 17-year-old Chelsea King, of Poway.

Police aren't saying if John Gardner, who is charged with the murder of King, is connected with the Dubois case or the body's discovery. But, it does not seem to be a coincidence that Amber Dubois should be found so soon after Chelsea King was found and her accused killer was arrested.

To read the full Fox News article, go here.

Amber Dubois and Chelsea King: Possible Link?

Above, Amber Dubois, missing since February 13, 2009.

The body of missing 17-year-old Chelsea King of Escondido, California was found near a lake not far from the teen's home.

A known sex-offender, John Gardner, had already been arrested based on physical evidence found with him.

According to San Diego television station KGTV:

The man suspected of in the death of Chelsea King was being watched more than a year ago by the family of missing teenager Amber Dubois.

On Tuesday, 10News spoke with Amber's mother, Carrie McGonigle. She said her family asked investigators with the Escondido Police Department to check out 174 registered sex offenders living within the area of Escondido High School where Amber, who was 14 years old at the time, was last seen February 13, 2009.

Family friend Linda Walkup said Chelsea King could have been saved if investigators checked in on people like Gardner.

"Had he been looked at from the beginning maybe, possibly, we could have stopped what's going on with Chelsea right now," said Walkup.

Instead, Amber's family and friends began their own investigation. They located the homes of 147 known registered sex offenders in Escondido, San Marcos, Poway and Rancho Bernardo. They drove by their homes and even staked out some of those homes. One of the stakeouts was almost a year ago, outside an Escondido apartment belonging to Gardner at the time.

Amber Dubois disappeared February 13, 2009 while walking to her school. She hasn't been seen since.

A pick-up truck seen in a video taken near Dubois's school that morning aroused police attention. Could Gardner have owned a similar pick-up? The King and Dubois cases could be linked. The authorities should check the area around the lake and what vehicles Gardner owned or had access to.

In Lieu of Flowers...

Above, Kelsey Smith.

If you are unable to attend the funeral services for my mom next Thursday, but would like to do something in her memory, please contribute to the Kelsey Smith Foundation in my mom's name (Mary K. Vaquer).

The Greg Smith Family started the foundation following the kidnap and murder of daughter Kelsey, 18, of Overland Park, Kansas. This gained nationwide attention, including my mom's and myself.

The Kelsey Smith Foundation is doing excellent work in educating young women on personal safety.

To make a contribution in my mom's name, go to www.kelseysarmy.org.

Greg Smith For Kansas House of Representatives

Above, Greg, Kelsey and Missey Smith.

Ever since I began to follow the Kelsey Smith case of Overland Park, Kansas from the beginning in June 2007, there has not been too many happy surprises.

However, I saw a Twitter post by Kelsey's dad, Greg Smith, just a few minutes ago and what he wrote came as a big, but very pleasant surprise to me: he's filed his papers to become a Republican candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives in District 22!

I have to confess, I am a big admirer of Greg Smith and his family. From the beginning of the nightmare of Kelsey's kidnapping and murder, Greg worked tirelessly within the community to first find his daughter and then to bring her killer to justice. He didn't stop there. He and his wife Missey started the Kelsey Smith Foundation to educate young women on how to protect themselves against predators, so they won't meet the horrible fate Kelsey did. They have traveled around their state and around the country to speak to groups, large and small, on self-protection.

They also saw to it that the Kelsey Smith Act was enacted in Kansas and are working so that other states pass similar laws that require cell phone companies to fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies in kidnapping cases.

The energy and determination Greg displayed tells me that he would be a great asset to the Kansas House of Representatives. If I lived in Kansas, I would unhesitantly vote for Greg Smith. He's a doer, not a talker.

From Greg's campaign website:

Greg Smith is running for the Kansas Legislature because he realizes that both political parties have abandoned core conservative principles: fiscal responsibility; limited government; and accountability. These principles need to be restored. Greg is the candidate who best represents the values and people of the 22nd District.

Is this an endorsement of Greg Smith for the Kansas House of Representatives in District 22? You bet it is!

If you would like to donate to Greg's campaign or become a volunteer, please go to his campaign website: http://www.gregsmithforkansas.com

Alexandria "Allie" Phipps Missing

Authorities fear that a 15-year-old high school student has been abducted while walking to school.

KTLA News is reporting:

THOUSAND OAKS -- Authorities are asking for the public's help in the search for a 15-year-old girl who was last seen walking to Westlake High School Monday morning. It's feared the teen may have been abducted, officials said.

Alexandria "Allie" Phipps left her Thousand Oaks, home around 7 a.m. Monday to walk to the school, which is about a mile and a half away from her home, according to Det. Eric Buchow of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

She never arrived at the school, he said.

Phipps is 5-foot 8-inches tall, weighs 120 pounds and has red hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a gold tank top with multicolor horizontal lines, a blue jacket or hoodie with angel wings on the back, blue jeans, black shoes and was carrying a black and red backpack.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Thousand Oaks police at (805) 494-8216.

To read the full article, go here.

UPDATE: Alexandria Phipps was found safe in a Los Angeles youth center. She apparently took a bus to downtown L.A. instead of going to school, KFI-AM just reported.