Jamilla ‘Millie” Smith, a 30-year-old mother from Aiken County, South Carolina, has been missing since December 2, 2023. Her family, alongside local authorities and a non-profit organization, continues a desperate search for her, raising concerns about the adequacy of the initial response to her distress calls.
Smith, who had recently moved to Florida, was back in South Carolina to purchase a vehicle when she vanished. Her last known contact was a distressing 911 call in which she reported that her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Gabriel Harmon, 34, was chasing her with a vehicle. The call ended abruptly with sounds of distress and confrontation.
Harmon was arrested on December 5, 2023, facing charges including kidnapping and suspected murder. The arrest affidavit revealed that Harmon allegedly struck Smith with the vehicle but did not seek medical help for the injured woman, leaving her fate unknown.
Bryan Alexander Hampton Jr., 35, Harmon’s cousin, was also arrested, suspected of being an accessory after the fact to murder. He surrendered to police on April 19, 2024.
A warrant from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office states that Hampton was aware a murder had been committed by Harmon and assisted him from December 2 to December 4. The document details that Hampton helped by providing transportation, buying a cell phone, and aiding Harmon in disposing of Smith’s remains.
Investigators found blood in the trunk of Harmon’s rental car, intensifying suspicions regarding Smith’s fate. Forensic tests were conducted to determine if the blood matched Smith’s DNA.
Smith’s mother, Tina McCraw, has been vocal about her frustration with the police’s response to her daughter’s calls for help. She spoke about the multiple instances where she believes the police could have intervened more effectively, especially considering the history of domestic violence reports against Harmon.
Records from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office reveal that Smith made three domestic violence calls against Harmon. Despite these calls on July 2, August 22, and November 9, Harmon was not charged with any related offenses until December 5, three days following Smith’s disappearance.
The sheriff’s office emphasizes that they dispatched units within minutes of the 911 call and that their response time was in line with standard protocols. However, family and community advocates argue that interventions during previous incidents might have prevented this tragedy.
Tina McGraw explained that she has found solace in reading Smith’s Bible and leaning on her faith and family for support. “Having my grandson around has been a source of strength, particularly in staying strong for Millie,” she said.
Her mother remembers her daughter as a vibrant woman who loved traveling and meeting new people. Smith was also a devoted mother to her two sons, Noah and Moses, who are now left waiting for their mother’s return.
Kimberly Kite, who once served as a police officer and established the Broken Link Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to finding missing individuals—has participated in the search for Smith as well as Maylashia Hogg, a pregnant teenager who was discovered deceased in February.
“Jamilla is a beautiful 30-year-old mother of two with a family that adores her more than anything… A young Black mother who is missing,” Kite explained to the media.
As the search continues, her family seeks closure and justice, urging anyone with information to come forward.
