Susan Smith’s case captured national attention after the 1994 deaths of her two young sons. While she initially claimed that the children were taken during a carjacking incident and publicly pleaded for their safe return, the case sustained a drastic twist when it was revealed that she made the whole story up and was actually responsible for the murder of her own children.
As Smith anticipates her November 19, 2026, parole hearing, Us breaks down everything to know about the case, her deplorable claims and where she is today, below.
Where Is Susan Smith Today?
Susan admitted she killed her children on November 3, 1994, just nine days after she fatally drowned her sons, Michael Daniel Smith, 3, and Alexander Tyler Smith, 14 months. Michael and Alexander’s bodies were later recovered on November 4, 1994.
She went to trial and on July 22, 1995, was found guilty on two counts of murder by a jury in Union, South Carolina. Days later, Susan was sentenced to life in prison on July 28, 1995, with the possibility of parole after 30 years of incarceration.
Susan was first booked into the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution, where she has continued to make headlines for breaking prison rules.
Since starting her sentence, Susan received two infractions for having sex with prison guards, according to People.
The first incident took place with prison guard Houston Cagle, who had sex with Susan at least four times. Cagle pleaded guilty, was sentenced to three months in jail and was fired, while Susan was disciplined.
Prison captain Alfred Rowe was arrested in September 2000 for having sex with Susan. Rowe later pleaded guilty and received five years’ probation, according to ABC News.
Susan was also penalized for the sexual encounters and was transferred to the Leath Correctional Institution, where prison guards have taken special precautions due to her past.
Her disciplinary issues continued at the Leath Correctional Institution, according to jailhouse records claiming Susan was disciplined at least five times between 2010 and 2017 for infractions that included self-mutilation, drug use and possession of narcotics or marijuana.
Susan was first eligible for parole in November 2024, but she was denied it and remained in custody. Her next parole hearing is scheduled to take place in November 2026, where her legal team will likely argue why she deserves to be released.
What Crime Did Susan Smith Commit?
On October 25, 1994, Susan claimed that a Black man had carjacked her and driven off with her two sons still in the vehicle. She appeared on the news as she pleaded for her sons’ safe return, but later admitted that she was never the victim of an alleged crime.
It was later revealed that Susan drove her car to a local boat ramp and let it roll into a lake with her sons’ still strapped into the car, leading to their deaths.
Susan allegedly killed her sons because she was in a secret relationship with a local businessman, Tom Findlay, who didn’t want children. It was argued in court that Susan drowned her sons in order to save her relationship.
What Happened During Susan Smith’s Trial?
Her murder trial began in July 1995 after Susan publicly admitted to killing her sons. The prosecution argued that Susan was motivated due to her relationship with Findlay and they fought for the death penalty.
Meanwhile, the defense argued that Susan had a mental illness and she intended to kill herself alongside her children on the night of the drownings, according to the New York Times.
The trial lasted less than a week, and Susan was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder. The jury declined to give Susan the death penalty, and she was instead sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
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