Honestly, if you were around in the mid-90s, you remember the image. Two little boys with blonde hair and gap-toothed grins, wearing matching blue overalls. They looked like the quintessential American toddlers. For nine agonizing days in 1994, the world prayed for Michael and Alex Smith after their mother, Susan Smith, claimed a carjacker had snatched them.
But the truth was far darker.
When people search for david smith children now, there is often a somber realization that follows. There is no "where are they now" in the traditional sense of growing up, going to college, or starting families. Michael was only three. Alex was just 14 months old. Their lives ended in the murky waters of John D. Long Lake in South Carolina, strapped into their car seats by the very person who was supposed to protect them.
The Heartbreak of Michael and Alex Smith
It’s been over 30 years. That’s a lifetime.
Michael Daniel Smith and Alexander Tyler Smith would be grown men today, likely in their early 30s. Instead, they remain frozen in time, preserved in those grainy 1994 news clips and the family photos their father, David Smith, still carries with him.
David has spent the last three decades navigating a level of grief that most of us can’t even fathom. He didn't just lose his children; he lost them to a betrayal so profound it changed the way the nation looked at "the girl next door." Susan didn't just kill their sons; she sat next to David on national television, holding his hand and sobbing for their return, knowing exactly where they were the whole time.
It’s heavy stuff.
David Smith: Life After the Unthinkable
People naturally wonder what happened to David. How do you even wake up the next morning?
David eventually remarried and tried to build a semblance of a normal life. By 2003, reports surfaced that he had two more children with his second wife. He moved away from the intense spotlight of Union, South Carolina, seeking privacy. But you don't ever really "move on" from something like that. You just move forward.
He’s been incredibly vocal lately, and for a very specific reason.
In late 2024, Susan Smith became eligible for parole for the first time. For David, this was the ultimate nightmare. He traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, to stand before the parole board. He didn't go as a celebrity or a public figure; he went as a father.
The 2024 Parole Hearing
At the hearing on November 20, 2024, David was visibly shaken but resolute. He wore a photo of Michael and Alex pinned to his lapel.
"I'm asking that you please, deny her parole today, and hopefully in the future, but specifically today," David told the board.
He spoke about the choice Susan made. It wasn't a mistake. It wasn't a "lapse in judgment." It was a calculated move to get rid of "baggage" because a man she was seeing didn't want kids.
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The board listened. They denied her parole unanimously.
Where the Case Stands Today
So, regarding david smith children now, the "now" is about legacy and justice. Susan Smith remains incarcerated at the Leath Correctional Institution. Under South Carolina law, she gets another shot at a parole hearing every two years.
This means David’s fight isn't over.
He has vowed to be at every single hearing. Every two years, he will have to put on that suit, pin that photo to his chest, and relive the worst moments of his life to ensure his sons' killer stays behind bars. It’s a grueling cycle of trauma.
The Impact on the Community
Union, South Carolina, still bears the scars. The lake where it happened became a site of pilgrimage for years. People left teddy bears, flowers, and notes. Even now, true crime enthusiasts and locals alike visit the memorial marker for the boys.
There's a weird kind of "true crime tourism" that David has had to endure. But for him, it’s not a story. It’s not a Netflix documentary. It’s his life.
Key Takeaways for Those Following the Story
If you’re looking for the current status of the family or the case, here is the ground reality:
- Michael and Alex are buried at a family plot in Bogansville, South Carolina. Their graves are frequently visited by those who remember the case.
- David Smith continues to advocate for his sons, appearing at parole hearings to testify against Susan's release.
- Susan Smith was denied parole in November 2024. Her next opportunity for a hearing will be in late 2026.
- The Motive remains a central point of the story—prosecutors proved she killed the boys to pursue a relationship with Tom Findlay, who had told her he wasn't ready for a ready-made family.
Moving Forward: How to Honor the Memory
It’s easy to get caught up in the sensationalism of Susan’s prison life or the "men who write her letters," which has been a recurring tabloid headline. But focusing on the david smith children now means focusing on child advocacy and the prevention of domestic violence.
If you want to do something meaningful after reading about this tragedy:
- Support Child Advocacy Centers: Organizations like the National Children's Alliance work to provide a unified voice for abused children.
- Stay Informed on Parole Laws: Understanding how the justice system handles life sentences with the possibility of parole helps in being an informed citizen when these high-profile cases resurface.
- Respect the Privacy of the Survivors: While David speaks out during hearings, he deserves peace in his day-to-day life.
The story of Michael and Alex Smith serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life. While their "now" is a quiet grave in a small South Carolina town, their memory continues to fuel their father's fight for justice.
For more updates on upcoming legal proceedings or to learn about child safety initiatives, you can monitor the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services public records.