The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office on May 10 confirmed the recovery of the remains of Jamilla Smith, a 30-year-old mother of two boys, who had been missing since December 2, 2023. Her body was discovered in a wooded area off Silver Bluff Road. An autopsy conducted on May 13 revealed that Smith died from gunshot wounds to the head.
Smith, a resident of Jackson, South Carolina, was last heard from during a distressing 911 call on December 2, in which she reported being chased by her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Gabriel Harmon.
The 911 dispatch officer noted that Smith seemed to be gasping for air, with the sound of a car’s engine accelerating in the background.
According to an affidavit, “A distressed scream from Jamilla is audible, followed by what sounds like the phone being dropped. A man’s voice is then heard instructing Smith to enter the vehicle so he could drive her to the hospital.”
The document further details that Jamilla’s screams persist, with her audibly rejecting contact and pleading not to be harmed, alongside accusations of being struck.
Evidence from the 911 audio recording, along with the discovery of what is believed to be blood in the trunk of a 2023 black Dodge Charger owned by Harmon, have contributed to the issuance of charges for murder and abduction.
Authorities initially arrested Harmon on December 23, charging him with kidnapping and murder. He is also facing charges related to domestic violence and drug trafficking.
Further investigation led to the arrests of two other men associated with the case. Bryan Alexander Hampton Jr., Harmon’s cousin, turned himself in on April 19 and has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Clyde James Hendley II was arrested on May 2 on similar charges. Both are accused of aiding Harmon in disposing of Smith’s body and other evidence.
During the search for Smith, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office worked closely with the Aiken Department of Public Safety and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The recovery of Smith’s remains brings a significant development to the months-long investigation that began when her mother reported her missing on December 3.
The sheriff’s office is continuing the investigation and urges anyone with additional information to come forward. They can contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office or provide tips through their website.
Smith had previously reported several incidents of domestic violence involving Harmon to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. Despite this, a warrant for Harmon’s arrest on domestic violence charges was never served. Before her disappearance, Smith had relocated to Florida but returned to South Carolina briefly in December to resolve vehicle issues.
The discovery of Smith’s remains and the subsequent arrests have provided some answers to her grieving family, who had been actively searching for her since her disappearance. Kimberly Kite from the non-profit organization involved in the search had expressed hope for Smith’s safe return and the cooperation of suspects in uncovering her location.