Who is Susan Smith and what did she do?

SUSAN Smith made headlines in 1994 after her two sons were murdered.

The case drew international attention because of claims that were later determined to be false, and now Smith is sitting behind bars, serving a life sentence.

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Who is Susan Smith and what did she do?

Born September 26, 1971, Smith, 50, is known as a South Carolina mom who was convicted of two counts of murder and is now serving a life sentence.

Smith’s legal troubles date back to October 25, 1994, when she told police that she had been carjacked by a Black man who allegedly took off with her two young sons still in her car, People reports.

Throughout the course of the investigation, authorities discovered that her story was false and the then 23-year-old mother admitted to police that there was no carjacker.

In reality, Smith had let her car roll into a lake with her sons Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months, still strapped in their car seats, according to People.

Why did Susan Smith kill her children?

Many were stunned by the sudden deaths of Smith’s children, but when a motive was discovered, many Americans were outraged by her actions.

Smith had reportedly killed her young children because she was secretly dating a man who didn’t want kids, People reports.

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As a result, she was convicted of two counts of murder and is serving a life sentence.

“I am not the monster society thinks I am,” Smith wrote in a 2015 letter to The State. “I am far from it.”

“Something went very wrong that night. I was not myself,” she continued. “I was a good mother and I loved my boys. There was no motive as it was not even a planned event. I was not in my right mind.”

Smith will be eligible for parole in November 2024, but at this time, it remains unclear if it will be granted.

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Is Susan Smith married?

From 1991 to 1995, Smith was married to David Smith, 51, who is also the father of Michael and Alexander.

In 2010, he opened up to People about his son’s murder and told the media outlet that he has never fully recovered.

“There’s always this nagging and gnawing heartache,” David said at the time. “It’s there every day, even if I’m not always conscious of it.”

Following Smith’s divorce, it was revealed in March 2022 that she had started a new relationship with a man from behind bars, one she hopes to continue if released.

A member of her family exclusively told People about the relationship, adding they have been sending handwritten letters for over a year.

“They write letters all the time,” the family member said.

“They started about a year ago. Handwritten letters about what their future will be. She’s very romantic like that, always wanting to find a happily ever after.”

At this time, the identity of Smith’s new boyfriend remains unclear.