On January 20, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in the Olympia subdivision of Wellington, Florida, resulting in the deaths of 34-year-old Brittany Dyan Carter and her estranged partner, 45-year-old Stephen P. Smith. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at around 5:00 p.m. on Balsan Way, where they found both Carter and Smith deceased from gunshot wounds.
The investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office determined that the incident was a murder-suicide.
Stephen P. Smith, who was Carter's ex-fiancé and the father of their young children, shot and killed Brittany Carter before taking his own life.
Initially, the victim's family invoked Marsy's Law, which protected the identity of the victim. However, they later rescinded this protection and released Brittany Carter's name to the public. Family and friends of Carter have since set up a memorial fund in her honor, named the 'Brittany Carter Fund', to support her children. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo branch or via Zelle to the email address [email protected].
Brittany Carter was remembered by her family and friends as a vibrant and fierce individual. Her funeral service did not delve into the circumstances of her death, but it highlighted her impact on those who knew her. The incident also brought attention to the broader issue of domestic violence, with over 103,000 domestic violence offenses reported in Florida in 2021.
