An Arizona man who shot and killed a couple after a car sale deal went wrong has been sentenced to life in prison. Alexander Lee Smith, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the fatal shooting of Walter Mitchell, 52, and Susie Ephrem, 42, in November 2023.
Smith was driven by greed, prosecutors said, as he attempted to purchase a Ford Shelby GT500 from Mitchell. After a wire transfer failed, Mitchell called off the sale and instead sold the car to a dealership.
The following day, Smith shot both Mitchell and Ephrem in their home, with their 8-year-old grandson present, though he was unharmed.
The Crime Unfolds
According to Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Smith had been in contact with Mitchell over text messages about buying the car. When the wire transfer failed, the sale fell through, but Smith’s intentions did not end there. On the morning of November 11, 2023, Smith arrived at Mitchell and Ephrem’s home, shot them both, and left.
At the crime scene, Ephrem called 911, but Mitchell was already dead by the time police arrived. Ephrem later died of her injuries in the hospital. Investigators found signs of forced entry into the home, and Smith’s involvement quickly became a focal point.
Deceptive Claims
In the aftermath of the murders, Smith returned to the crime scene while detectives were still investigating. He falsely claimed that he was a car collector who had purchased the Shelby GT500 from Mitchell and was there to pick it up. He left empty-handed, but continued his deception.
Two weeks later, Smith went to the Peoria Police Department, attempting once again to claim the car. This time, his story no longer matched his previous statements, leading authorities to investigate further.
They found that Smith had been posing as the car’s owner, planning to sell it to a third party even after Mitchell had called off the sale. He promised the car to the buyer the day after the double murder.
Greed and Lies
Smith’s actions were motivated by greed, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release. “Even after taking two lives, this defendant continued to lie to police to try to get the car,” she remarked.
Smith’s arrest came exactly one year after the murders on November 11, 2024. He was sentenced to two life sentences plus an additional 21 years for the murders and home invasion.
The case highlights the tragic consequences of greed and deception. Smith’s attempt to steal the car led to the senseless deaths of two innocent people, and he now faces a life sentence for his actions. The victim’s family and the community are left to grapple with the loss, while Smith faces justice for his crime.
