Welcome to Arrest Stories. A thirty-year-old Lynn man was found outside his father's apartment confessing to officers that he had just killed his sister, whose body was discovered inside the residence. Here's what may have happened.
Joshua Smith was arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping after police responded to reports of disturbing sounds from a Newhall Street apartment. When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered Smith outside the residence where he was staying with his father.
According to official reports, Smith immediately began making damaging admissions to responding officers. As one official stated, "Upon their arrival, they found the defendant, Joshua Smith, outside of the residence making numerous and inculpatory statements about killing his sister who was identified as Michelle Knox."
Inside the apartment, police discovered the body of thirty-eight-year-old Michelle Knox, Smith's half-sister. The siblings had been staying at their father's residence when the alleged incident occurred.
Neighbors reported hearing disturbing sounds before police arrived. One witness described the chilling audio, saying "It was like horrific screams like somebody got stabbed or something." Another neighbor recounted being awakened by emergency vehicles, stating "I heard the sirens and everything and then woke up and seen blue lights, I'm like, OK what's really going on?"
This arrest comes while Smith was already on probation following a July guilty plea to two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Smith had also been arrested in July for allegedly assaulting his father, adding another layer to his recent legal troubles.
Family members have requested no-contact orders, while prosecutors successfully petitioned to have case documents impounded due to the ongoing investigation's early stages. Smith appeared in court and was ordered held without bail.
Those who knew Knox remember her fondly. One person close to the family shared, "She was always so happy, so goofy, so proud. She always worked hard to do right."
Smith's next court appearance is scheduled for October fourteenth for a probable cause hearing.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.