Gavin Smith's car recovered, case now a homicide

Sheriff's detectives said today they are now investigating last May's disappearance of media executive Gavin Smith as a homicide case. Smith's 2000 black Mercedes Benz 420E was recovered last month in a storage facility in Simi Valley. This facility has been linked to John Creech, who is in the Men’s Central Jail already on an unrelated narcotics conviction, the sheriff's investigators said.

After locating Smith’s vehicle, homicide detectives served several search warrants in the San Fernando Valley in furtherance of the investigation. Based on the vehicle’s condition and information developed from persons cooperating in the investigation, homicide detectives are now investigating this case as a homicide. Gavin’s body has not yet been recovered.

Mr. Gavin Smith was last seen at a friend’s residence in the Oak Park area on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. Mr. Smith left that location in a 2000 black Mercedes Benz 420E, and has not been heard from since.

Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person or persons involved in moving Gavin’s car from the Porter Ranch area in the San Fernando Valley to the storage facility in the Simi Valley area on or about May 8 or 9, 2012.