Ashley Brooke Adams Smith, aged 41, tragically passed away on August 17, 2018, in Lynn Haven, Florida. The circumstances surrounding her death were both shocking and heartbreaking. On that fateful day, the Lynn Haven Police Department responded to a distress call at the residence of Steven Hudson on Illinois Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Ashley Brooke Adams Smith with severe gunshot wounds to her neck and abdomen. The Chief Medical Examiner for the 14th Judicial Circuit, Dr.
Jay Radtke, later confirmed that the gunshots were contact wounds, indicating that the firearm was pressed against her body when discharged.
Steven Hudson, who was identified as the perpetrator, was seen fleeing the scene with a gun in his hand. He was apprehended shortly after during a traffic stop on Highway 77. Initially, Hudson pleaded not guilty to the charges of second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. However, in June 2019, he changed his plea to no contest. During the court proceedings, Hudson expressed remorse, stating that the incident was accidental and not intentional. Despite his plea, the court, led by Judge Brantley Clark Jr., sentenced Hudson to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the second-degree murder charge. Additionally, he received a 15-year sentence for the firearm possession charge.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the Lynn Haven Police Department, with significant contributions from Corporal Steve Enfinger and Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy. The prosecution highlighted Hudson's extensive criminal history, noting that he had been released from prison only six months prior to the murder. The court proceedings also revealed that Hudson and Smith had a tumultuous relationship, with Hudson being described as an estranged boyfriend. The tragic loss of Ashley Brooke Adams Smith left a profound impact on her family and friends, who expressed their grief and sought justice for her untimely death. The resolution of the case brought some measure of closure, with the family stating that justice had been served.
