Totally sideways in the road. He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, who were killed while hiking the Appalachian Trail, in May 1981. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Sherman Smith: He would walk in the mountains just about -- just about everyday when it was pretty, but I didn't know how far he went. Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions. Chris Hansen: What's it like to see these gals here today? Ricky claimed that he had fished with Scott all afternoon, and the latter had invited him to join them for dinner. He was born June 30, 1967, in Mecklenburg County, son of Kay Harding Thompson and the late Jackie W. Thompson Sr. Scotte was a caring, loving father, son, and friend. (laughter). Bowles visited Smith occasionally, even after she left the neighborhood. I think his motive with Bob was self-pr-- self-preservation, because he knew Bob would wring his neck. Then, Smith stood up and smacked his hand against his thigh to wake his sleeping dog, Johnston said. Polson had planned to only be out on a short trip. Read the transcript here. The isolated shelter sits well off the trail in a dark, remote tract of woodland. After Scott made the ID, police launched a manhunt for Randall Lee Smith. [7], On May 6, 2008, Smith attempted to kill Scott Johnston, 38, and Sean Farmer, 33, on a fishing trip near Dismal Creek, less than two miles from the site of the 1981 murders. I met several people on the trail who clearly were not hikers, and each one of them was quite strange.. She brought him meals and stayed to chat. "You can't feel bad for somebody like that.". And I jump out. We can only guess what the reason for this would be. When some killers kill, we sit back and wonder how this happened. Smith introduced himself as Ricky Williams of Newport. The slaying was the first murder on the Appalachian Trail, a 2,160-mile wilderness path that stretches from Maine to Georgia, since 2011 when hiker Scott Lilly, 30, of South Bend, Indiana, was slain and left in a shallow grave in Amherst County, Virginia. And I was coming back up the mountain. Smith was arrested that day after attempting to escape in one of the victim's trucks and subsequently crashing. This year, the guy running the Roanoke Kiwanis Clubs annual pancake breakfast is a character who spent 33 years working for the Central Intel. Judy Snipes: To be real honest, the two of them initially. Scott Johnston: And- and the next thing I know, I mean, I just hear, "Pow. Smith was paroled in 1996 after serving 15 years of a 30-year prison sentence. Farmer was shot in the face and chest. Blogger Mark Kelley suggests bearing in mind that most violence comes from people crossing paths with the Appalachian Trail, not other hikers. And they come to the door and they see me, and I'm soaked in blood - I mean from head to toe. After serving only 15 years, Randall went on to shoot two other men on the Appalachian Trail, but through sheer determination, those two men survived. And Scott and Sean -- who somehow survived Smith's brutal attack -- will never get any answers, either. Dont be afraid to stomp on the instep of an attacker or slam a knee into a male attackers groin. The slayings became the subject of the 1984 book "Murder on the Appalachian Trail" by author Jess Carr. Eric Earnhart, a spokesman for Carilion Clinic, could not be reached for comment Sunday. He had-- a nickname: Sherman Smith: Oh, L.R. Because when I got out of the car I was almost - I almost fell down. Johnston said the bedraggled stranger had the look of an alcoholic already near bottom. So--. I mean, it was just pulsing out of me. He said he had been in the woods for two weeks, hunting turkey with an uncle. Hikers protested outside the courtroom the day after his sentencing, and a spokesman for the Appalachian Trail Conference said Smith is the "first person convicted of murdering a hiker who has had the opportunity to leave prison". This crime-related article is a stub. In 2008, Randall Lee Smith shot two fishermen on the trail with intent to kill them. [6] His probation ended in 2006. "Randall Lee Smith (June 29,1953- May 10, 2008) was a convicted murderer from Pearisburg, Virginia. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Lawson had his suspect. I knew then I was still alive and I-- I was happy. Randall Lee Smith was injured in the crash. "Can you imagine having no friends, no family, nobody visiting you?" It's still there. However, Sean and Scott did not think much of such issues as they were determined to enjoy the day to the fullest. Scott Johnston: Thank you so much. It's dark. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As Johnston cleaned the fish by the creek, then placed them on a grate over the fire, along with a pot of beans, Smith talked about football and music and himself. Once back in Virginia, Randall was offered a plea deal where he would plead guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in exchange for 30 years in prison. Takecare when you do find a person in the woods that seems completely out of place. The beauty of this wilderness can mask its danger. Scott Johnston: And-- and talk-- and talking him, ya know--. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Ever. And Scott and Sean -- who somehow survived Smith's brutal attack -- will never get any answers . Scott Johnston: Yeah. And--. Although a local resident named Randall Lee Smith was arrested and convicted for the murders, residents generally avoided the area since that incident. He was the son of Randall Ray Smith and Virginia Mae (Rubin) Smith, both survive him. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. "That's what I'm asking for. The third result is Randall Lee Smith age 60s in Moorhead, MN. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I think about 'em all the time. Those who know Sean and Scott said they were often spotted hanging out together in Bluefield and described them as generous and kindhearted individuals who never hesitated to help out others in need. Johnston jumped up and dashed away from Smith, trying to get to a stand of cedar trees 20 feet away. So it was just, you know, staring each other down, briefly. At a remote mountain campsite, Sean Farmer is in a life-or-death struggle with a gunman intent on killing him. 981-3324. That's what I did.". Smith as he appeared in his 1973 driver's license photo. Smith was paroled in 1996 after serving 15 years of a 30-year prison sentence. Also, he had lost all vision in his right eye. And - and I can look over, and I can see he's shot in the face. And the next thing I know is-- is we hit it too fast. They figured he just was trying to impress them. It's well-known, but mostly avoided by those who know its secrets. top story Bland County Youtuber believes he's found Appalachian Trail killer's campsite By JEFFREY SIMMONS | Staff Aug 19, 2021 Updated Jan 12, 2022 0 Mike Reed suspects these camping items belonged to convicted killer Randall Lee Smith. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. When Randall Lee Smith came out of the woods and shot Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer, he changed their lives forever. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. A native of McDowell County, he was born. This might be why, How to Increase Your Social Network as You Age, Wendy's will start selling canned chili in grocery stores, Parents consider options for only daughter to inherit their home. As a rule of thumb, youre more likely to encounter troublesome people within a mile or two of crossroads, rather than in the deep, dark forest. Tom Lawson - who is still pained by those 1981 murders - will never get his chance to ask Smith why he killed those two hikers. And when Randall Lee Smith went on trial for his latest crimes on the Appalachian Traileveryone hoped they finally would get some answers. Officers found him unresponsive about 5 p.m. Saturday, Hamlin said. So, they sedate me. Scott Johnston: We went down that dirt road doing like 40 miles an hour - 50 miles an hour - on the road that you can normally do like 20. This wasn't gonna make you popular. And once the car started, he went past me, and was from behind. "He was a good friend and a good neighbor.". Out of nowhere, Ricky brandished a gun and began shooting incessantly at the two men in front of him. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. And, you know, patted his leg. Can he take him down before he pulls the trigger again? Tom Lawson: I don't know. The two men sat in a small brick home on Dismal Creek Road the same home to which they had fled after being shot and told the tale of how they barely escaped with their lives after inviting a hungry man and his seemingly starving dog into their camp in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Melissa Miller: Yeah, it crossed my mind. At one point during the flight, Johnston thought he must have died. Randall Lee Smith was sentenced to 15 years in prison -- just seven and a half years for each of the murders. Similarly, a bullet also remained lodged in Scotts back, and both men endured multiple bullet wounds and surgical scars, which they bear to this day. I used to be a Web Developer in the Newsroom, now I spend my time in coffee shops researching murder. Not only did his disappearance come shortly after the double murders, but police quickly learned the kidnap note was left by Smith himself. But as Farmer put his Jeep in gear, the shot he was expecting didn't come. As 8:30 p.m. approached, darkness began to creep over the campground. I was just amazed. No one had kidnapped Smith, he had just left town and had driven to South Carolina. Sean Farmer: This is it, right here. They ran his tag number. Please subscribe to keep reading. In the spring of 1981, hikers Susan Ramsay and Robert Mountford were murdered at the Wapiti shelter -- then buried in sleeping bags by their killer. Astonishingly, he would later shoot two more individuals on the trail, although they survived his attack. He died in jail four days later as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. "The Randall I knew was not the cold-hearted person the outside world makes him out to be," she said. Neighbors have described him as a lost soul, accompanied only by his dog, Bo. The next day, they brought in search dogs to comb the woods. And when we got down to where there's three or four houses, for some reason, you know, we passed the first or second house. And I mean we're flying down the road. Pair encounters killer, lives to tell about it. They each drank a Bud Light but didn't offer Smith one. He would use several pseudonyms, posing as a professional photographer to lure his victims with the promise of a modeling career. That's all I want for him. Authorities say they don't know yet why Smith died. Randall Lee Smith: No. Chris Hansen: Did you think there was a chance they wouldn't make it? In addition to the gun, police found a treasure trove of evidence Randall Lee Smith had hidden deep in the woods: Scott Johnston's sunglasses, more than 20 knives, meat cleavers and other items. Sean, six-foot five and 380 pounds, decides to charge the man. He spent 15 years in prison before his release in 1996. "He was a quiet, humble man who didn't have much," recalled a tearful Bowles, one of Smith's former neighbors, during an interview Sunday. Smith was still trapped in the truck when Hamlin arrived. He was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, a sentence that he accepted willingly. She said residents told them about Randall Lee Smith, about the murders he committed in 1981 and about the most recent allegations. Send Flowers. Scott Johnston: And then I realized, then, that I was shot in the neck. The 1981 murders and 2008 attacks were depicted in the Investigation Discovery series Dead Silent: The Curse of Dismal Creek, season 1, episode 1, broadcast on October 25, 2016. Scott Johnston: And-- and we drive down about two or three miles. Chris Hansen: 15 years? And-- and luck. Following his release from prison, Randall . ", Scott Johnston: Yeah. Because we just trying to convince ourselves this is not going to happen. And Sean Farmer's doctors told him the same thing about the bullets he took in the head and chest. If you must, fight for your life. "If I had to ask him one question," Johnston said, "it would be, Why? And I - and I'm worried, like, you know, he's shot in the brain, or something that, you know. Chris Hansen: I mean, it had to be massive fear out there that some kind of a killer, perhaps a serial killer, was stalking hikers on the Appalachian Trail. And I run up to the-- the house. And then I'm sitting there thinking, well, maybe I am dead right now. They wouldn't know that for nearly four hours after he had told them lie after lie, after the gun came out. Chris Hansen: What did you think you had on your hands in terms of a-- a profile of a killer? After his parents bailed him out Glatman was arrested again a month later when he abducted and sexually assaulted another woman. And survived it. Sean Farmer: I was - I guess - so drained. The male victim was found dead at the scene, and the female victim was taken to the Bristol Regional Medical Center in Tennessee, where she gave a statement to investigators and named Jordan as the man who attacked them, according to the complaint. Here are the list of Appalachian trail murders since 1974: Scott Lilley, a hiker from Indiana, died on the Applachian Trail on 12 August 2011. Scott Johnston: Back in the original case, where-- where was, back in-- in the original case, where was the judicial system? 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Before driving off, Johnston told the man he was camping just up the road at the Lions Den Campground. On Friday, Jordan allegedly approached four hikers near the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday at the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia. After Randall Smith's arrest, neighbors wondered what happened to Bo. But as far as this one, I mean, ya know, that-- you can't even really tell that's a bullet-- wound right here. Chris Hansen: How are you gonna get down this mountain? She died in 2000. Chris Hansen: You had to be thinking, "Wait a minute. Two of the hikers chased him away, but Jordan allegedly returned and began stabbing the male victim in the upper body after they began arguing, the complaint states. Hence, people did not think much when Sean and Scott decided to travel to Dismal Creek in May 2008. Although each man had two serious gunshot wounds, they both survived the harrowing ordeal. Space Rabbit Coffee among the latest to hop into changing part of Christiansburg, Pearisburg man never shook reputation as AT killer, Analysis: Mom and pop safe as First Republic Bank fails. As Johnston yelled "Go, Sean!" NBC News reports that the men managed to escape in Smith's vehicle and drive 40 miles to the nearest hospital for . Randall Lee Smith. Plant Trees. Scott Johnston: --and one on the steering wheel. "Lyin' Randall.". More from Medium A.W. Chris Hansen: Did you think you could die on the mountain that night? He was willing to help anyone in need. Meanwhile, Scott Johnston has taken refuge in the woods. "I kept telling myself, you're tough, hang on, you're going to make it," he recalled. Around 3:12 a.m., the female victim called emergency dispatchers in Smyth County, detailing the attack. No one could believe anyone in our community would be so capable of so-- so much damage and so much horror. Scott Johnston: I love comin' up here. Scott Johnston: It's wonderful. The Appalachian Trail is a paradise for outdoorsmen: a ribbon of wilderness that runs thousands of miles through mountains and forests, from Maine to Georgia. Jordan was acting "disturbed and unstable" and was playing his guitar and singing when he approached the group, the complaint states. Sean Farmer: And the thing was, ya know-- we communicated, but, like-- like I said, my mouth was swollen. As she went down, he hits her in the back of the head. As he attempted to escape, he crashed his getaway. On May 6, 2008, Sean and Scott set out individually for Dismal Creek, and while Sean was the first to reach the campsite, he soon came across a stranger who introduced himself as Ricky Williams of Newport. Johnston, meanwhile, had not seen Smith shoot Farmer, but after hearing a bang he looked up from his seat, fashioned of two rocks and a log, and saw Smith's arm stretched out toward Farmer. Sean Farmer: And then a pretty-- pretty big scar here. Meanwhile, Sean got out of the car and tried to stagger to the house. The murder today still seems to be unsolved. You have permission to edit this article. Discover Randall Lee Smith's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Sean Farmer: Well, I'd say the most important part is, you know, just don't give up. But they're alive, thanks to good luck, and some outstanding medical care. But it's actually inside my sinus cavity. Two fisherman were shot on the Appalachian Trail by Randall Lee Smith. He looked just like a normal camper. Almost immediately, he saw something suspicious. And meet Sean down at the road, and I saw his headlights coming and he stops and I jump in. Smith served a 10-year prison term for those killings, was released in 1996 and returned home to live with his mother in Pearisburg, Va. His mother died in 2000. Smith infamously murdered two people along the Appalachian Trail in . So, I couldn't really speak after that. It's-- it's a good place to meet other hikers. Lawson found those murder weapons. What were you gaining by this?". But one hiker they met on the trail here last may turned on them without warning. He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, who were killed while hiking the Appalachian Trail, in May 1981. ", "I wasn't even looking at him, and the next thing I know, I didn't see him pull a gun or anything, I just had this ringing in my head where he shot me right in the side of the face," Farmer said. And I was, like, "Oh, you know." First off there is the standing fucking hooray that is Steve Buscemi in Ghost World. Randall Lee Smith did go off to prison, and privately, Tom Lawson hoped he would never come out. Its better to scratch someones eyes in order to protect your life than it is to be a merciful victim. And live life. And he went about a mile from where they saw him and he wrecked his truck. Chris Hansen: Now, this would freak me out. And I said yeah.". And I said, "Here, you can have these.". [9] Smith was arrested that day after attempting to escape in Johnstons truck and subsequently crashing. Smith turned the gun, a .22-caliber revolver, on Farmer, shooting him in the chest from several feet away. You first cross paths with him as a member of the Sheriff's department in 1981 investigating a double murder. He was arrested, and taken to same hospital where Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer were being treated. The killer is still at large and there are no leads. And the wheels probably come within a foot of going over like a - a 20 or 30-foot embankment. And what did you think you were gonna gain from this, notoriety? PEARISBURG -- News of Randall Lee Smith's death Saturday afternoon elicited little sympathy Sunday in Giles County. I said, "Oh, my goodness, this is not a joke.". Chris Hansen: Otherwise, you weren't gonna have Scott Johnston: Yeah. [10] He died in jail four days later as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Only later would they discover that this was not the first time two innocent hikers were viciously attacked on this part of the Appalachian Trail. Sean Farmer: At that time, I just put my hand up. Hoping just to-- if he was gonna shoot me, shoot me through the hand, just, you know, block it a little bit. Lt. Ron Hamlin says Smith left the road, drove up an embankment and flipped the truck on its roof. Then, seemingly out of the blue, the police got a break. Tom Lawson: I feel like we had probably the best you could probably have. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Hiking isnt generally thought of asa dangerous pursuit. For fishermen like Scott Johnston and Sean Farmer, days don't start any better than this. It charts travel writer Bill Brysons experiences hiking theAppalachian Trail. Chris Hansen: Where are the bullets now inside your body? Scott Johnston: I had fished all morning. Smith came around the front of the Jeep and pointed the gun at Farmer. Scott Johnston: And I jumped up. A knife was found near the deceased victim's body, according to the complaint. And, like I say, I mean, I just stuck my finger, ya know, probably a quarter inch down inside the wound. And the pieces were up above the leaves. [2] A third victim, Shirley Ann Bridgeford, was met through a Lonely Hearts ad in the newspaper. [13] Smith was also referenced in season 12, episode 4 of Criminal Minds. "It kind of makes you think they pulled him out of the hospital too soon," Vaught said. ( Michael Williamson / The Washington Post / Getty Images) The victims Susan Ramsay, 27, and Robert Mountford, 27. And the two friends say as painful and as frightening as the shooting was, they have learned some life lessons from their brush with death. Tom Lawson: The cloth sLeeping bag was lying out this way. Tom Lawson: We discovered a-- a piece of-- angle iron, wrought iron that was in the fireplace that was used for a poker to stir the ashes up. And they were fishing together. He said he had a master's degree in engineering from Virginia Tech, another lie.