In the summer of 2017, 18-year-old Hunter Allyn Smith, a White male, was hitchhiking from Junction City, Oregon, with aspirations of reaching Nebraska for a new job. His journey, however, took a tragic and unforeseen turn in Idaho. In June, he was picked up by a trio who would ultimately be responsible for his death: Nicholas B. Vandenberg, 27, Montanna R. Reed, 20, and Willie K. Rabey, 34.
There was no apparent animosity between Smith and the group; they simply befriended the young traveler.
The group devised a plan to lure Smith to Vandenberg's home with an invitation to go shooting. They gathered firearms and drove with Smith to a remote location in the Bruneau Desert in eastern Owyhee County. There, their sinister plan unfolded. Vandenberg, as planned, shot Smith at close range in the upper torso and head with a. 45-caliber pistol while Reed and Rabey watched. After the shooting, they removed Smith's clothes, dragged his body to a ditch, and burned his belongings in an attempt to conceal his identity.
For months, Smith was considered a missing person. It wasn't until October 21, 2017, that his remains were discovered by hunters in the desolate desert landscape. The investigation that followed led authorities to Vandenberg, Reed, and Rabey. Court documents revealed that the trio had even discussed committing other future crimes, including murder.
Nicholas B. Vandenberg was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and destruction of evidence. Montanna R. Reed and Willie K. Rabey were charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. All three were ultimately convicted for their roles in the senseless killing of Hunter Smith. Vandenberg was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. Reed was sentenced to 15 years, and Rabey received a 26-year prison sentence.
