In what should have been the safety of his own home, a man's life was brought to a sudden and violent end. Brandon Scott Smith, a 50-year-old male, was shot and killed in his North Phoenix residence. The tragic event unfolded in the early morning hours of March 21, 2021, when he was shot by his wife, 52-year-old Diane Smith. The couple's 14-year-old daughter was awakened by the sound of gunfire and emerged from her room to the horrific scene of her father on the floor with a gunshot wound and
her mother holding a rifle.
Following a 911 call made by Brandon Smith himself, police arrived at the home to find a devastating scene. Brandon was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. In addition to the human tragedy, the family's dog was also found fatally shot in the living room. Diane Smith was taken into custody by the authorities. During questioning, she told investigators that she believed her husband and his family were conspiring to kill her and that she thought she had shot two intruders who were trying to break into their home.
The investigation revealed a history of mental health struggles on the part of Diane Smith. Family members reported that they had previously attempted to get her committed to a mental health facility and had filed police reports out of concern for Brandon's safety. They described a noticeable change in her demeanor and a belief that she was not receiving adequate treatment for her mental illness. Following the incident, Diane Smith was charged with second-degree murder, cruelty to animals, and endangerment. The tragic death of Brandon Smith left his family, particularly his teenage daughter who witnessed the event, to grapple with the profound loss of both her parents in a single, traumatic moment.
