Wynter Cole Smith case: Everything we know from Amber Alert to discovery of body to criminal charges
The body of Wynter Cole Smith was found July 5, 2023, in an alley in Detroit.
LANSING, Mich. – Here’s everything we know about the Wynter Cole Smith case, from the Amber Alert to the discovery of her body to the charges against her suspected kidnapper.
READ: Timeline of Wynter Cole Smith case
Wynter’s mother attacked in Lansing
Lansing police were called at 11:19 p.m. Sunday to Wynter’s home in the 3000 block of BeauJardin Drive.
Officials said Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, of Detroit showed up at the home and stabbed Wynter’s 22-year-old mother multiple times. Trice and the mother used to be in a relationship, according to authorities.
Wynter’s mother was able to escape from the house and call for help from a neighbor.
Lansing police Chief Ellery Sosebee said when officers arrived at the home, Trice, Wynter, and the mother’s white 2013 Chevrolet Impala were gone.
Wynter’s 1-year-old brother was still at the home, unharmed, police said.
Wynter was officially reported missing around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
Wynter Cole Smith (WDIV)
Trice arrested after Amber Alert
An Amber Alert was issued for Wynter, and it included information about Trice and the stolen Impala.
St. Clair Shores police said they spotted the car around 4:45 a.m. Monday in the area of 9 Mile Road and Harper Avenue.
When an officer tried to pull him over, Trice sped off, according to authorities. He crashed into another St. Clair Shores patrol car in the area of Little Mack Avenue and 10 Mile Road, police said.
One officer from inside the car was treated for injuries and discharged.
Police said Trice actively resisted arrest while being taken into custody at the crash scene. He was brought to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries from the crash, according to officials.
Wynter was not with Trice when police took him into custody.
Trice charged for Lansing attack
Trice was arraigned Wednesday on charges linked to the attack against Wynter’s mother. The arraignment took place in the hospital as he recovered from injuries suffered when he crashed, according to authorities.
He is charged with assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence (second offense), unlawful driving away of an automobile, felonious assault, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. July 13, and a preliminary examination is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. July 20.
Trice is being held without bond.
Rashad Malik Trice (Michigan Department of Corrections)
How police found Wynter’s body
During the search for Wynter in the days following her disappearance, police wanted to know where Trice went in between Lansing and St. Clair Shores.
On Tuesday, the FBI and Lansing police revealed maps that showed a rough estimate of the route they believe Trice took in the early morning hours Monday.
Trice is believed to have gotten on the freeway from Lansing around 11:20 p.m. Sunday. He reached Metro Detroit after midnight, and then went into the city of Detroit around 1:10 a.m., according to the maps.
Police believe Trice left Detroit around 2:40 a.m. and moved around the east side until his arrest in St. Clair Shores.
Officers said Trice was “incredibly unhelpful” and “didn’t offer up anything to police.” But his cellphone revealed where he had gone before his arrest.
Police went through the data from his phone and identified various areas around Metro Detroit where he drove and spent time. One of those areas was I-94 and Van Dyke Avenue.
FBI agents and Detroit police officers spent 4-5 hours on the grid search before finding Wynter’s body around 6:50 p.m. Wednesday in an alley near Olympia Street and Erwin Avenue on the city’s east side.
Wynter’s family releases statement, message for killer
On Thursday, Wynter’s family released a statement following her death:
We are heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful daughter, granddaughter, cousin, niece, and big sister, Wynter Cole Smith. Wynter’s brief but bright life was taken from her unnecessarily, and we will grieve her death forever. We wish to thank the FBI, all law enforcement, all the volunteers, and the Dock Ellis Foundation for their assistance, compassion, and professionalism. In remembering Wynter, we believe that it is necessary to help make sure that this kind of tragedy never again touches any other family. Anywhere. We asked the state legislature and Gov. (Gretchen) Whitmer to consider legislation that further ensures that multiple violent offenders remain in jail or prison, as they are tragically a threat to all of us. The family is planning a vigil in Wynter’s memory for tomorrow evening -- Friday, July 7 -- at 6 p.m., and we welcome the public to pray with us. Bsharah Public Relations on behalf of Wynter Cole Smith’s family
They also invited the public to a Friday night vigil.
Wynter’s grandfather, Almount Smith, also had a message for the person who killed his granddaughter.
“You took my grandchild’s future and dreams away from her,” Smith said. “She will never attend school and will never experience adulthood. She was a precious angel -- not only to me and her parents, but to everyone.”
Wynter Cole Smith with her grandfather, Almount Smith. (Almount Smith)
Trice charged with fleeing police
On Thursday, Macomb County prosecutors announced charges against Trice for fleeing St. Clair Shores police.
He’s charged with third-degree fleeing and eluding, attempt to disarm an officer, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing causing injury, and three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.
Trice moved to Ingham County Jail
Jail records revealed Friday morning that Trice had been moved from the hospital to the Ingham County Jail.
Rashad Maleek Trice (Ingham County Sheriff's Office)
He is being held without bond.
Trice faces federal charges
On Friday, Trice was officially charged with kidnapping resulting in death, which carries a sentence of life in prison. He is also charged with kidnapping a minor, which has a minimum sentence of 20 years and a max sentence of life in prison.
“The allegations in this case are heart-wrenching,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said. “My thoughts are very much with Wynter’s family, as we were all praying for her safe return home.”
Totten said the kidnapping resulting in death charge is also death penalty eligible.
More: Man accused of kidnapping 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith could face death penalty
Family holds vigil for Wynter
The family of Wynter held a vigil in Detroit to honor the 2-year-old girl.
The vigil was held at the spot where Wynter’s body was found. There was a private moment for her parents.
A vigil is being planned for Wynter in Lansing Saturday, July 8. The family said they’re still planning her funeral arrangements.
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit
