February 6, 2004
Sarasota, Florida
The body of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia is discovered

Carlie was abducted February 1 by Joseph Peter Smith. After kidnapping her, Smith raped and strangled her, leaving her body near a church. Security footage of Carlie being forcibly lead away by Smith resulted in Smith being questioned. He denied any responsibility or knowledge until eventually he said he “really fucked up,” confessing to having “rough sex” with the 6th grader, and that he may have killed her. He blamed a “far out” trip fueled by cocaine for his actions.

During trial, Smith asked for leniency for his family’s sake. The judge declined and sentenced Smith to death by lethal injection on March 13, 2006.