Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
Netflix’s true crime series Homicide: Los Angeles explores the brutal murder case of FOX executive Gavin Smith that occurred in May 2012. The episode “A Hollywood Affair” re-examines the case and reveals startling details about the crime. It also sheds light on how police investigated the case and caught a man named John Creech for the murder. The true crime series is now available streaming on Netflix.
The documentary reveals that Gavin Smith reached Oak Park, California, after attending a movie convention in Las Vegas. However, he decided to stay at a friend’s house instead of his residence. ABC News reported that Smith left his friend’s house at night and never returned. When he didn’t show up at work the next day, Smith’s wife filed a missing report. After almost two years of investigation, police couldn’t find Smith and declared him dead in May 2014. However, five months later, a group of hikers discovered Smith’s remains in Angeles National Forest, California.
As the investigation continued, the authorities finally charged John Creech for the slaying. People Magazine reported that Creech’s wife, Chandrika Cade, started an affair with John Smith in 2008 during a rehab stay. The outlet mentioned that Creech found out about the affair and caught the couple red-handed. During the trial, Cade testified that Creech started beating Smith as soon as he saw them. Even though she left the scene, he continued hitting Smith and eventually killed him. The jury found Creech guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced him to 11 years in years in prison. Currently, he is serving his sentence in a prison in California.
Where is Gavin Smith’s killer John Creech now?
According to California’s Department of Corrections, Gavin Smith’s killer, John Creech, is serving his sentence at FCI Victorville Medium II in Central California. The official website also states that he will be released from prison on February 17, 2029.
During the trial, the prosecution team argued that John Creech murdered Gavin Smith brutally. Additionally, they labeled the incident as “indescribable violence.” On the other hand, the defense said that Creech beat Smith in “self-defense.” People Magazine reported that Creech followed his wife, Chandrika Cade, because he was scared for her safety. He claimed that Smith attacked Creech first and went after him with a weapon. That’s when Creech fought back.
Eventually, the jury found John Creech guilty of voluntary manslaughter instead of first or second-degree murder.
Homicide: Los Angeles is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
