Susan Smith’s ex-husband ‘spoke’ to murdered children before hearing

Editor’s note: This article mentions suicide and domestic violence. People seeking help or experiencing a crisis can dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 800-799-7233 to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

(NewsNation) — David Smith, the ex-husband of Susan Smith and father of the two boys she murdered, expressed “much relief” Wednesday upon learning that Susan had been denied parole.

Susan Smith was convicted of two counts of murder in 1994 after allowing her car to roll into a South Carolina lake with her sons, Michael and Alex, inside.

In the days leading up to the parole hearing, David shared that he had “spoken” to his sons in his own way.

“We had a lot of discussions,” he revealed exclusively on Banfield. “Time heals some wounds. But for me, personally, time does not heal the loss of a child,” Smith said.

During “Banfield’s” one-hour exclusive episode, Smith shared never-before-seen images of Michael and Alex Smith.

Earlier Wednesday, a South Carolina parole board denied Susan Smith’s release, nearly 30 years after she received a life sentence for murdering her 3-year-old and infant sons.

Smith’s voice shook as she spoke to board members over a video call and expressed remorse for the boys’ deaths. She told the parole board that she’s a Christian and asked them to show her “that same kind of mercy, as well.”

“I know that what I did was horrible,” she said, wiping her eyes. “And I would give anything if I could go back and change it. I love Michael and Alex with all my heart.”   

Smith was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for the deaths of her 3-year-old son Michael and 14-month-old Alex. She initially told police a carjacker took off with her children still inside the vehicle.

The case drew international attention as Smith pleaded with the media and public to help locate her children for nine days. Eventually, Smith admitted she strapped her two sons into car seats and drove onto a boat ramp at a South Carolina lake, where she let the vehicle roll into the water with her sons still in the back seats.

“I didn’t lie to get away with it,” Smith said through tears. “I really didn’t. I was just scared. I didn’t know how to tell the people who loved them that they’d never see them again. How could I tell David he couldn’t see his sons again?”

“I’m sorry,” she continued. “I know that’s not enough. I know it’s not. I know they just sound like words, but they come from my heart. They really do.”

NewsNation’s Katie Smith contributed to this report.