HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTS IN CALIFORNIA

 Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety


On January 5, 2021 at 11:07 a.m., the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) received a 911 call from the Red Lion Inn at 1880 NW 6th St in Grants Pass. An employee located an unconscious man on the floor of a hotel room and requested immediate assistance. Police Officers with the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and initiated a death investigation. GPDPS Detectives were later notified and assumed control. 


Through the course of the investigation, the victim was identified as 42-year-old Ryan Antone Dutra. Mr. Dutra is a resident of California and had rented the room at the hotel. He was found alone and sustained a gunshot wound. Detectives secured the scene and applied for a search warrant for the room. No other suspects or persons were located in the area or had knowledge of the incident. It was not believed there was any additional threat to the public.    


Due to the fact there was no suspect information at the scene, Detectives worked tirelessly throughout the day and night to develop leads. Using numerous technologies, to include video surveillance, cell phone technology, and license plate reader data, they were able to identify the suspects as 41-year-old Derek Ian Smith and his wife, 34-year-old Tera Lindsey Smith, of California.


By the time the suspects were identified, it was believed the couple had already returned to California. Aided by detectives from the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Team, GPDPS Detectives coordinated efforts with several California agencies to obtain information pertinent to the case. Assisting agencies included the California Highway Patrol, Sacramento Police Department, San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. The Josephine County District Attorney’s Office was also consulted throughout the investigation.


On January 6 at 10:30am, Derek and Tera Smith were located on Interstate 5 in Newton, California. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident by the California Highway Patrol and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, less than 24 hours after the initial report.


This incident is an example of a coordinated response by local police agencies and the use of numerous investigative techniques and partnerships between adjoining states to ensure the safety to the public and a complete investigation resulting in the arrest of those suspected of committing this egregious crime.


This remains an active investigation and further requests for specific information about the incident should be forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office. General investigative and/or procedural questions can be directed to Chief Warren Hensman at (541) 450-6260.


The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety would like to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Dutra. We would also like to acknowledge the hard work of our detectives and those of the California law enforcement agencies who assisted in locating and arresting the suspect in this case.


VICTIM:


Ryan Antone Dutra, 42 years old California Resident


ARRESTEES:


Derek Ian Smith, 41 years old California Resident


Charges:


Murder I

Robbery I

Unlawful Use of a Weapon

Tera Lindsey Smith, 34 years old California Resident


Charges:


Murder II

Robbery I

Unlawful Use of a Weapon






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