Press Release

Brian Smith Arraigned on Charges of Murder in the First Degree

October 9, 2019

(Anchorage, AK) – On September 30, 2019 the Anchorage Police Department received information about a potential homicide on video. They contacted the citizen who reported finding the video and over the course of the next several days, the investigative team worked diligently to discover the identity of both the suspect and the victim. The homicide and assault appeared to have occurred on September 4, 2019 at the Midtown Marriot Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska.

Throughout the course of the investigation, law enforcement identified Brian Steven Smith as the suspect. On October 2, 2019 human remains were found at milepost 108 of the Seward Highway. APD Officers continue to work with the medical examiner to ascertain the identity of the remains, but she is believed to be the victim in the September 4th video.

A warrant for Smith’s arrest was obtained on October 7, 2019 and he was taken into custody the following day at the Ted Stevens International Airport. Smith was arraigned today, October 9, 2019 at the Anchorage Jail Court. His bail has been set at 500,000 cash performance and 250,000 cash appearance.

Law enforcement is continuing to investigate this event. The charges against Mr. Smith are allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

CONTACT: Deputy District Attorney Brittany L. Dunlop at (907) 269-6300 or at Brittany.Dunlop@alaska.gov.

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Department Media Contact: Senior Assistant Attorney General Cori Mills at (907) 465-2132 or cori.mills@alaska.gov.