Solved case · 1989
The short answer
American journalist Todd Smith was killed in Peru's Upper Huallaga Valley in November 1989 while investigating ties between Shining Path guerrillas and cocaine traffickers, becoming the first foreign journalist killed in Peru's internal conflict.
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Suggest coverage for Murder of Todd SmithTodd Smith was an American journalist born in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from Washington and Lee University with an English degree in 1983 and went on to work at the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune, alongside freelance reporting assignments. In 1987 he spent ten weeks traveling with the Nicaraguan Contras, later publishing a series on the experience in the St. Petersburg Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.
In November 1989, Smith traveled to the Upper Huallaga Valley in Peru, an area where Shining Path guerrilla activity and cocaine trafficking were both prevalent, to investigate links between the two. His body was found near the town of Uchiza. He was 28 years old. Near his body was a wooden sign that read: "In this way die North American spies linked to the Pentagon who are carrying out an anti-subversive plan in Latin America and especially in Peru. Death to the North American imperialism. Long live the Communist Party. Long live the war of the people." Smith was the first foreign journalist to be killed during Peru's internal armed conflict.
An investigation by Peru's Interior Ministry found that Smith had been captured by rebels and then sold to drug traffickers for $30,000. The Lima-based daily Ultima Hora, in its February 1, 1992 issue, reported that it had identified Smith's killers and stated that he had discovered a drug laboratory and a shipment of coca paste leaving a jungle airport prior to his capture. The same report denied any connection between the Shining Path and his death, presenting an account that diverged from the guerrilla-authored sign found at the scene.
In April 1993, a secret counterterrorism court convicted Shining Path member José Manrique of taking part in the murder, sentencing him to 30 years imprisonment. Manrique was later released early under circumstances that remain unclear. Trial transcripts leaked in 2004 implicated drug trafficker Fernando Zevallos in the killing, though the available record does not indicate that Zevallos was charged in connection with Smith's death.
In 1990, Washington and Lee University established a fellowship in Smith's name in his memory.
Todd Smith graduates from Washington and Lee University with an English degree.
Smith spends 10 weeks traveling with the Nicaraguan Contras and later publishes a series on the experience.
Smith is killed near Uchiza in Peru's Upper Huallaga Valley while investigating links between Shining Path and drug traffickers.
Washington and Lee University establishes a fellowship in Smith's name.
Lima daily Ultima Hora publishes a report claiming to identify Smith's killers, denying Shining Path involvement.
A secret counterterrorism court convicts Shining Path member José Manrique of taking part in the murder, sentencing him to 30 years imprisonment.
Leaked trial transcripts implicate drug trafficker Fernando Zevallos in the killing.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
American journalist killed in Peru in November 1989 while investigating Shining Path–drug trafficking links.[3]
Shining Path member convicted in April 1993 of taking part in Smith's murder; sentenced to 30 years imprisonment; later released early under unclear circumstances.[3]
From the record
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