One Year Ago Today

It was one year ago today that Bothell resident Susann Smith was savagely murdered at her home. It is one of the most horrific domestic violence homicides I know of. This German-born mother of two was subjected to deliberate violations and atrocities designed to maximize her suffering and ultimately take her life.

In May of last year, taken aback by how little news coverage this case had received, I posted an article about her murder on this blog. The Bothell Reporter, thankfully, had kept the case alive in the public’s eye and published details that no one else in the media seemed to care about. While I’m passionate about crime victims advocacy, I had no idea that this blog would become a gathering spot for people connected to the case. The original post and comment thread, with links to many articles, is at Murdering Susann Smith.

Smith’s ex-husband was eventually arrested for her murder and the trial is scheduled to begin this May. I’m sure the mainstream media will be covering it and I hope they choose to keep the children out of their coverage. Suspect Alan Smith, however, has ensured that his name has been kept in lights through his very public fling with a new girlfriend, who he allegedly impregnated.

But I would ask that we the public remember Susann’s name more. Too often we remember the names of murderers and become concerned with what happens to them, forgetting the victims’ names and the horrors they endured. We can forget that there are children, and family, and friends, and coworkers who are all affected by such a terrible loss. Some of them may never heal.

I didn’t know Susann. I don’t represent anyone in this case. I’m a survivor who’s lost people to domestic violence myself and don’t want to see one more person claimed by this type of crime. Today, please take a moment to remember this mother who was dearly loved by her family and friends. Please also think about who in your life needs your help in ending the violence that is happening to them, be it psychological, sexual, physical, financial, etc. There are organizations and agencies who want to help them. See the right sidebar for more information.

One in five women and many men are affected by domestic violence– all of us know someone we can reach out to. And if not you, then who? Remember what Martin Luther King Jr. said: He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.

Susann, you won’t be forgotten. And you will get justice.

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©2014 H. Hiatt/wildninjablog.com. All articles/posts on this blog are copyrighted original material that may not be reproduced in part or whole in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from H. Hiatt/wildninjablog.com.