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Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady were two teenagers tragically murdered by Byron Smith on Thanksgiving Day in 2012. The event shocked the community of Little Falls, Minnesota, and sparked a national debate over the limits of self-defense laws, particularly the "castle doctrine."
After a series of burglaries at his residence, Smith, 64, claimed that he acted out of fear. However, the chilling details that ensued and his actions painted a much darker picture.
The murders, captured by Smith's security system and a hidden audio recording, stunned even experienced investigators with their premeditation and cruelty. Byron Smith was charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder for the killings of Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady.
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He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Smith challenged justified self-defense by taunting the wounded teens as they begged for their lives.
Season 1 episode 8 of Dateline: The Smoking Gun on Oxygen showcases Smith's motives and actions. The case involved a botched home invasion and the psychological and emotional factors that inspired it, illuminating the disturbing murders. Here are five chilling details about Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady's murders and how they were linked to fear and vengeance.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer’s opinion.
Audio recording, delayed reporting, and other chilling details about Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady's double murder
1) Byron Smith's audio recording: A chilling confession
The most unsettling piece of evidence in the case was Smith’s own audio recording. Smith had hidden a recorder in the basement before the murders, capturing the entire sequence of events.
The recording disclosed how Smith not only executed the teens but also reportedly taunted them while they were wounded. He is seemingly heard saying, “I don’t see them as human,” and referring to the teens as “vermin.”
This chilling perspective on the victims hinted that Smith had allegedly already dehumanized them before taking their lives, turning the act into a calculated execution rather than a defensive response. The details in the recording, including Smith's rehearsal of what he would say to lawyers, further highlighted the premeditated nature of his actions.
2) The premeditation: Smith baited the teens
Byron Smith's actions before the break-in suggested that he had planned the killings. He moved his vehicle away from the house to create the illusion that no one was home and unscrewed the light bulbs in the basement to ensure the intruders couldn't see in.
This preparation was not the behavior of someone defending their home from an immediate threat but of a man lying in wait. The premeditated setup made the killings all the more chilling, as Smith had taken deliberate steps to ensure that the encounter would end in violence. It was not just a reaction; it was a carefully executed plan.
3) The taunting: Smith’s cruel remarks to the wounded
After shooting Nicholas Brady and Haile Kifer, Byron Smith reportedly made disturbing comments, including referring to Kifer as a "b*tch" after she had already passed away. Brady's lifeless body was also mocked by him, who reportedly said, "You're dead," before encasing him in a tarp.
It was an eerie indication that Smith relished the power he held over the dying teens as he taunted them in their final moments.
4) The delayed reporting: A sinister wait
Smith did not inform the police about the murders immediately. Instead, he waited until the next day to speak up. He claimed this delay was because he didn't want to disturb anyone on Thanksgiving.
But the wait made people suspicious and suggested that Smith allegedly had time to think about what he was doing and maybe even enjoy feeling in charge of the situation. As time went on, the case became more like a cold-blooded murder and less like an act of self-defense.
5) A grisly scene of murder
Another chilling detail about the murders was Byron Smith's meticulous planning and the eerie sense of control he maintained throughout the killings. After shooting the two teenagers, Smith dragged their bodies into his basement and covered them with blankets as though trying to hide the horror he had just committed.
The victims’ final moments were reportedly filled with terror as Smith recorded their screams and his own cold remarks.
The tragic and chilling murders of Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady showed the dangers of living in fear. The investigation disclosed premeditated violence and apathy towards the victims.
Dateline: The Smoking Gun is available to stream on Oxygen.
