Authorities reportedly used cell phone data from Wynter Cole Smith’s suspected kidnapper to locate her body on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Rashad Trice, 26, allegedly stabbed Smith’s mother and sexually assaulted her. Trice, who previously dated Cole Smith’s mother, then took the toddler and fled in a stolen car, according to authorities.
Three days later, an FBI agent discovered Cole Smith’s body in Detroit near Coleman A. International Airport, as CrimeOnline reported. A law enforcement source told The Detroit News on Monday that cell phone data showed Trice in the vicinity of his uncle’s home and heading east. The uncle’s home was searched but by then, Trice had already left, the source said.
An AMBER Alert was issued for Smith. By Monday morning, St. Clair Shores police had spotted Trice — leading to a chase that ended with him allegedly trying to slam into a police cruiser. Smith was nowhere to be found at that time.
The Detroit News reported that cell phone data led them to Detroit’s east side. However, it remains unclear why they eventually zeroed in near the airport where Smith’s body was discovered.
Currently, Trice is charged with sexually abusing and assaulting Smith’s mother. He has not been charged with Smith’s slaying, but additional charges are forthcoming.
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