The FBI’s announcement underscores the enduring interest in solving the Wells case. As The Denver Post and AP News recounted, renewed efforts to bring Smika to justice began in 2009 under District Attorney Stan Garnett, who pushed for DNA reexamination of cold cases. That led to a 2010 warrant for Smika’s arrest.
Redford’s Personal Involvement
Garnett revealed that Robert Redford personally called him after learning of the renewed arrest warrant for Smika. “I thought [the call] was a positive reflection of Robert Redford’s concern about his daughter and about this young man who’d lost his life very tragically,” Garnett told Colorado’s KUSA.
Redford’s dedication to supporting the Wells family was evident. According to KUSA, he even paid for private security for them in the uncertain early days of the murder investigation. Wells’ brother, Robert, expressed gratitude, saying he had “deep appreciation” for Redford’s support during their darkest days.
A Family Touched by Tragedy
Redford’s family endured not only the trauma of Wells’ unsolved murder but also other brushes with tragedy. Just a year after Wells’ death, Shauna narrowly survived after her car plunged into a river in Utah. Redford himself also faced personal loss with the deaths of two of his sons before his passing.
