On September 15, 2018, just weeks before he is scheduled to enter the police academy in San Jose, CA, 23-year-old National Guardsman Tyler Smith is found dead, face-down in a drainage ditch, after a night of bar hopping with friends in Galesburg, IL. Local police say Tyler’s death was an accidental drowning and closed the case quickly. Tyler’s parents are unconvinced. They believe their son was attacked and killed by an unknown person or persons, and have spent the past four years doing the investigation they say the police failed to do. With their persistence and determination, and the help of an independent investigator, the case is now in the hands of the Illinois State Police, and Tyler’s family hopes they are one step closer to solving the mystery and obtaining justice for their son.
If you have any information about the death of Tyler Smith, please contact the Illinois State Police Zone 2 Investigations at 815-632-4010, extension 230, or submit to our website.
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I am sat watching the t.v here in England about Tyler….so sad….is there any update about the case?
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William Avery passed the same way in almost the same location and it makes you think if they’re connected somehow. His death is also unsolved. He was murdered in 2020 after Tyler Smith.
This is horrible and the police set needs to be held accountable!!!! For not doing their job!!! I’m watching this story first time now and so upset I’m crying!!!!!! I feel for this mom!!! Someone do something for this woman! Omg I feel so horrible about this case!!!!
Nothing good starts at a Buffalo Wild Wings
I wonder if they were drugged? The autopsy was so sloppy they probably didn’t do a thorough check. To get that drunk the night before his drill, it just doesn’t sound “right”.
I had to look him up because i am listening to the podcast now and i hope they find justice i can’t imagine how his parents feel
I wonder if the murderer has connections to the police.
It makes you wonder.
Honestly it could be but if they even had time to think and had time to do shit they would probably get the solved and not a unsolved one like hundreds they probably have
Amen. Listening to the podcast now
Wrong place at the wrong time. Stay away from bars and clubs people, nothing good is gonna happen.
So true!
The police seem to have some involvement. They investigative work here is sketchy at best.
I think this too!!!! Moms testimonies pull my heart strings