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Case Description
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A man is killed with an ax
In the early morning hours of August 15, 1961, a quiet Tuesday in Port Orchard, Washington, turned tragic with the discovery of a brutal homicide at the Hi-Joy Bowling Alley. James E. Smith, a 31-year-old male custodian, was found dead on the floor near the register counter by staff arriving to open the business. He had been assaulted and struck multiple times in the head with an ax or hatchet. The last time anyone had seen Smith was around 2:00 a.m. when he entered the bowling alley to begin hi ...Read More
In the early morning hours of August 15, 1961, a quiet Tuesday in Port Orchard, Washington, turned tragic with the discovery of a brutal homicide at the Hi-Joy Bowling Alley. James E. Smith, a 31-year-old male custodian, was found dead on the floor near the register counter by staff arriving to open the business. He had been assaulted and struck multiple times in the head with an ax or hatchet. The last time anyone had seen Smith was around 2:00 a.m. when he entered the bowling alley to begin hi ...Read More
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See any mistakes?Victim Details
James E Smith
April 13, 2023
Male
Port Orchard
WA
1961-08-15
31
James E
Smith
11/09/2025
Area Body Found:
Forum Posts (2)
I’ve been following the tragic case of James E. Smith and something I keep coming back to is the c... ...Read More
09/18/2024
09/18/2024
I just stumbled across the James E. Smith case from 1961, and it’s been on my mind ever since. I c... ...Read More
04/06/2024
04/06/2024
