A beacon of love and warmth, Faith Christina Marie Smith was a devoted mother whose world revolved around her young daughter, Bliss. Born in Denver, Colorado, on May 23, 1995, the 31-year-old White woman was remembered by loved ones for her vibrant spirit, kind heart, and a laugh that brought joy to those around her. Faith was a cherished daughter, a twin to her brother Edwin Jr., and a confidante and best friend to her siblings.
Her family was the foundation of her life, and she dedicated every moment to nurturing her daughter with unwavering love. Her life, full of compassion and generosity, left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
In late September 2026, Faith was in Amarillo, Texas. On September 27, she was a passenger in a blue Fiat with two other people: a driver, who would later become a confidential informant for the police, and 48-year-old Leonard Torres. According to court documents, Faith and Torres were in the backseat together as the informant drove. At some point during the drive, Torres allegedly produced a handgun and shot Faith in the head, killing her. The informant reported that Torres then took Faith’s body and threatened to kill the driver and their family if they ever spoke about what they had witnessed.
The crime remained a secret for several days. According to the informant, Torres took Faith's body to a residential property in Amarillo. There, behind a detached garage that was under construction in the 3100 block of Orange Street, he buried her in a makeshift grave. He allegedly admitted to investigators later that he buried her because he did not want to get into trouble.
On October 1, 2026, the Amarillo Police Department’s Homicide Unit received a tip that a woman from Colorado had been shot inside a vehicle and buried at an unknown location in the city. Homicide detectives immediately began identifying and interviewing potential witnesses, who confirmed the details of the report. The investigation quickly pointed to Leonard Torres as a suspect and identified the vehicle involved. Officers soon located Torres driving the same vehicle connected to the case. When they attempted a traffic stop, Torres refused to pull over, leading police on a short pursuit before a patrol car blocked his path and he was taken into custody.
Following the arrest, investigators gathered more information that led them to the property on Orange Street. Homicide detectives and the department's Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to the address, where they located the burial site behind the garage. They recovered Faith’s body, and she was sent for an autopsy, which later confirmed she had died from a gunshot wound to the head, just as the witness had described.
During questioning, Torres allegedly acknowledged shooting Faith but claimed the gunfire was an accident. He also reportedly admitted to burying her body where she was ultimately found. Torres was booked into the Potter County Detention Center and initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest with a vehicle. A murder charge was added following the investigation. He is being held without bond.
Faith’s family announced that, in accordance with their wishes, there would be no funeral services. They asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity, nonprofit, or church of the giver's choosing in her memory. The case against Leonard Torres was proceeding through the court system as of October 2026.
