Teen Suspected Of Killing His Little Brother

A teen has been arrested on suspicion of killing his 11-year-old autistic brother, a sheriff’s official confirmed Wednesday.

Menifee Police Chief John Hill delivered the news during a press conference after a body was discovered Wednesday at the family home in the 33000 block of Helen Lane in Menifee.

Hill said a male juvenile body was discovered in a shallow grave on the property. The grave was located about 45 feet from the family home. A positive identification has not been confirmed, but Hill said police believe it to be that of Terry Smith, 11, who was reported missing by family on July 7.

Terry's 16-year-old half brother has been arrested in the case on suspicion of murder, Hill said.

No other arrests have been made, and no further details were provided. 

Neighbors described Terry’s family as kind, but quiet.

Heather Blume, 37, manages Menifee Market, located next door to the Smith home. The Menifee resident said she would see the family almost daily and described them as generally to themselves, adding that Terry was “an old soul, kind and very quiet.”

She described Terry’s half-brother as an introvert who may have had “some problems,” but said she never saw him hurt his siblings.

Dallal Harb, 31, owns Menifee Market with her husband. The neighborhood store is situated in the semi-rural western Menifee community that’s dotted with ranchettes and manufactured homes.

Harb was the carpool mom who took Terry home from school everyday. He would come into the store for a snack and drink, she said.

“He would go to the counter, and I would tell him, ‘Those are yours [the snacks],’ and he wouldn’t leave until we told him it was ok,” Harb said. “He was the sweetest kid ever. I’m just heartbroken.”

Harb said she never saw anything out of the ordinary regarding the family that included Terry’s mom Shawna and her girlfriend, a 16-year-old son who is a half-brother to Terry, as well as a sister believed to be between the ages of the two boys.

Harb’s house is on the same parcel as her market. She and her husband have lived on the two-and-half-acre property for 16 years, she said. She never saw anything unusual.

“They are a nice family,” she continued, estimating that Shawna and the kids moved in about seven years ago.

“She is a very good mom, a nice mom,” she added.

Menifee Mayor Scott Mann confirmed that a candlelight vigil will be held tonight for Terry at Menifee Market. The vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m., he said.

More Coverage on the Search for Terry Smith:

• Have You Seen This Boy? He is at Risk
• Missing Autistic Boy in Menifee
  
• Police Still Searching For Missing Autistic Boy
• Hundreds of Volunteers Fan Out in Search for Missing Autistic Boy in Menifee
• 'Find Terry Smith' Facebook Page Established, Volunteers Continue Search For Missing Boy
• Still No Sign Of Missing Autistic Boy, Search Continues
• Search For Missing Autistic Boy Intensifies
• Volunteers, Authorities Searching Through the Night for Missing Menifee Boy
• VIDEO: No Leads In Case Of Missing Autistic Boy, Police Chief Says
• UPDATED: Police Uncover Possible Human Remains At Missing Autistic Boy's Home
• Teen Suspected Of Killing His Little Autistic Brother