Susan Smith denied parole after serving 30 years for sons’ murders

Editor’s note: This article mentions suicide and domestic violence. People seeking help or experiencing a crisis can dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 1-800-799-7233 to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

(NewsNation) — A South Carolina parole board denied Susan Smith’s release Wednesday, nearly 30 years after she received a life sentence for murdering her 3-year-old and infant sons.

Smith’s voice shook as she spoke to board members over a video call and expressed remorse for the boys’ deaths. She told the parole board that she’s a Christian and asked them to show her “that same kind of mercy, as well.”

David Smith, Susan Smith’s ex-husband and father of the boys she killed, will join Ashleigh Banfield tonight at 10p/9CT. To find out how to watch, visit JoinNN.com.

“I know that what I did was horrible,” she said, wiping her eyes. “And I would give anything if I could go back and change it. I love Michael and Alex with all my heart.”   

Smith was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for the deaths of her 3-year-old son Michael and 14-month-old Alex. She initially told police a carjacker took off with her children still inside the vehicle.

The case drew international attention as Smith pleaded with the media and public to help locate her children for nine days. Eventually, Smith admitted she strapped her two sons into car seats and drove onto a boat ramp at a South Carolina lake, where she let the vehicle roll into the water with her sons still in the back seats.

“I didn’t lie to get away with it,” Smith said through tears. “I really didn’t. I was just scared. I didn’t know how to tell the people who loved them that they’d never see them again. How could I tell David he couldn’t see his sons again?”

“I’m sorry,” she continued. “I know that’s not enough. I know it’s not. I know they just sound like words, but they come from my heart. They really do.”

Smith has tried to harm herself several times in prison, her attorney Tommy Thomas said.

She’s attended healing seminars, anger management, self-esteem and domestic violence workshops and is currently working on her associate’s degree. She arranged to receive counseling if granted parole and planned to live with a relative.

Wednesday marked Smith’s first appearance before the parole board. She was joined by two longtime friends — a retired reverend and his wife, who advocated for her release.

Several people opposing Smith’s release also spoke and the parole board received nearly 400 letters submitted in the same vain.