On the evening of December 28, 2022, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, 18-year-old Matthew Levi Smith, a recent high school graduate with aspirations of becoming an architectural engineer, was found deceased in a vehicle outside his home. A male, he died from a gunshot wound to the head. The Sand Springs Police Department began an investigation into what they classified as an unattended death, a designation for deaths that are not from natural causes.
Matthew, who was born on February 19, 2004,
had graduated from Charles Page High School in May 2022 and was an employee at a local QuikTrip. He was known for his love of football, having been a member of the Sandite Football program. His family described him as a beloved individual who enjoyed fishing and spending time with his friends. He was also a member of the Church That Matters.
The circumstances surrounding his death have been a point of contention. Investigators have indicated that the evidence they have gathered suggests the gunshot wound may have been self-inflicted, leading them to consider suicide as a possibility. However, they have also stated that the investigation remains active and they have not definitively ruled out other causes. As of now, the case has not been officially classified as a suicide or a homicide.
Matthew's family has publicly disputed the theory that he would have taken his own life. They maintain that he was not suicidal and believe he was murdered. A family spokesperson pointed to a Snapchat video taken at 10:11 p.m. showing Matthew laughing and smoking, just thirteen minutes before he was found dead at 10:24 p.m. The family has been vocal in their plea for answers and justice, urging anyone with information to come forward. To date, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with his death.
