In the rural town of Shelby in Orleans County, New York, the quiet of winter was broken by a violent crime that has remained a mystery for years. On February 7, 2007, Kevin M. Smith, a 47-year-old male, was found deceased inside his home. He had been shot multiple times, and investigators from the Orleans County Sheriff's Office immediately classified his death as a homicide, beginning an inquiry that would stretch on for more than a decade.
Kevin, who was formerly of Clarence Center, was the loving son of Richard K. and Betty A. Smith. He grew up in a large family, the brother of Debbie, Rick, Dawn, Beth, Kathy, John, and David. His obituary noted he was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, indicating a wide circle of family who mourned his sudden and violent loss. Friends and relatives gathered to remember him at services held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clarence Center, before he was laid to rest in the local cemetery.
The investigation into Kevin’s murder proved difficult from the start. The crime scene was isolated, and there were no immediate suspects or obvious motives. With little physical evidence and no eyewitnesses coming forward, the case quickly went cold. For three years, detectives had few leads to pursue, and the question of who killed Kevin Smith and why remained unanswered, leaving his family and community without closure. The attack inside his own home suggested a brazen killer, but their identity was a complete unknown.
A significant break in the case came unexpectedly in 2010 from a separate investigation in another state. A man named Steven Patrick Rebert was arrested in Pennsylvania for a double homicide. During their investigation, Pennsylvania authorities examined Rebert's computer and discovered a disturbing pattern of internet searches. Rebert had been obsessively researching three specific murders: the double homicide he was charged with, the 2005 unsolved murder of William 'Bill' Fickel in nearby Genesee County, New York, and the 2007 shooting of Kevin M. Smith.
This digital trail immediately caught the attention of investigators in Orleans County. They discovered that Rebert had previously lived on East Shelby Road, not far from Kevin’s residence. The connection was strong enough for the Sheriff's Office to officially name Steven Rebert a person of interest in Kevin Smith's death. Further digging revealed more circumstantial links. Rebert was known to own a .30-30 rifle, the same type of weapon used to kill William Fickel, and both New York victims had been shot.
Despite these compelling connections, authorities have never been able to definitively link Rebert to Kevin’s murder with direct evidence. Lacking a ballistics match, DNA, or a confession, prosecutors have not had enough evidence to file charges against him in the case. Rebert was ultimately convicted for the Pennsylvania murders and is serving multiple life sentences. While he remains the primary person of interest in the deaths of both Kevin Smith and William Fickel, he has never been formally charged in either New York homicide.
As of early 2012, the investigation into Kevin M. Smith's death remains open. Investigators continue to hope that someone will come forward with the missing piece of information that could finally bring justice for Kevin and his family. In their search for answers, the Smith family is offering a reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person responsible for his murder. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Orleans County Sheriff's Office.
