Shortly before midnight, people heard a woman screaming nearby. Killaby’s car was left at the restaurant; her purse was gone, and there was a note about flying to Los Angeles. Her husband said she would never leave like this.

Smith had a long criminal record, including a life sentence for murdering his sister. Police didn’t believe his story, and he fled the state. He was eventually caught in Florida, injured in a shootout with police.

At trial, Smith changed his story, claiming a man (whom he later said was Killaby’s husband) attacked them in the parking lot, taking Killaby. Killaby’s DNA was found in Smith’s truck. The jury found Smith guilty of aggravated murder, believing he killed her to cover up rape and kidnapping, though this was later reduced on appeal.

Even though he was already serving a life sentence for his sister’s murder, Smith eventually confessed and tried to lead police to Killaby’s body, but they couldn’t find it. He later died by suicide in prison.

Killaby’s body has never been found, but her family received a large settlement from the state of Washington because they argued Smith wasn’t properly supervised after being released from prison. Her disappearance is considered a murder.