Eric Russell Smithson, aged 54, tragically died on November 24, 2020, in Clermont, Florida. The incident was part of a harrowing double murder-suicide that also claimed the lives of his father, William Smithson, aged 78, and his mother, Joyce Lorraine Smithson, aged 77. The Lake County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation and concluded that Joyce Smithson shot her husband and son before taking her own life.
The bodies were discovered by a pool worker who reported a foul odor emanating from the house. Upon arrival, authorities found the bodies in a state of decomposition, necessitating the use of dental records for positive identification.
The investigation revealed that the shooting appeared to be a premeditated act. Important documents were laid out in the home, suggesting that Joyce had planned the event. Neighbors reported that they had not seen the family for two to three weeks prior to the discovery of the bodies. The last sighting of William Smithson was when he returned from the hospital after receiving treatment. The Lake County Property Appraiser’s Office listed the Smithsons as the owners of the house, a 2,411-square-foot home with a pool in the Crescent Lake Club subdivision.
Authorities concluded that Joyce Smithson, who was found with a handgun near her body, was responsible for the deaths of her husband and son. The motive behind the tragic event remains unclear, but it was noted that Eric had unspecified special needs, and William was suffering from chronic illness. The case was closed with the determination that Joyce Smithson died by suicide after committing the double murder. There were no arrests or further suspects involved in the case, and no ongoing litigations or law cases were reported following the investigation.
