The heart-wrenching case of Wynter Cole Smith, a 2-year-old girl from Detroit who went missing, has taken a tragic turn. Her lifeless body was discovered on Detroit’s east side, confirmed by an FBI special agent during a late-night press conference. The news shattered hopes of finding her alive, devastating both investigators and the community who had rallied together in search efforts.

Wynter’s father, Almount Smith, expressed the profound sadness of the family, acknowledging that their worst fears had been realized. What initially began as a missing person search quickly transformed into a homicide investigation, as announced by Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee.

The 2-year-old was last seen on July 2, 2023, in Lansing, triggering an Amber Alert following a reported sexual assault and home invasion targeting her mother.

The suspect, Rashad Trice, the former boyfriend of Wynter’s mother, was arrested on several charges including criminal sexual conduct, home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, and domestic violence. However, Wynter was not found in Trice’s custody, leading to heightened concerns about her whereabouts.

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The investigation revealed that Trice had taken Wynter after stabbing her mother, fleeing to the Detroit area and prompting the issuance of an Amber Alert. Authorities discovered Wynter’s lifeless body near the Coleman A. Young Airport, marking a devastating end to the search.

While the details surrounding Wynter’s tragic fate are still being investigated, the case has left a community in mourning. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including local police in Lansing, St. Clair Shores, and Detroit, as well as the FBI and Michigan State Police, joined forces in the search for the missing toddler.

As the community grapples with grief, a vigil is planned to honor Wynter’s memory at Erwin Avenue and Olympia Street. The family, deeply affected by the loss, also intends to hold a separate vigil to commemorate her life.

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The tragedy of Wynter Cole Smith’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the community, as they mourn the loss of a young life that was taken too soon.