Anchorage, Alaska – A man from South Africa has been convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of two Native women in Alaska. Brian Steven Smith, 52, was found guilty on 14 counts, including sexual assault, misconduct with a corpse, and two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Kathleen Henry and Veronica Abouchuk. Smith was arrested after a woman stole his cellphone and discovered disturbing videos and images on the device.
The jury in Anchorage found that Smith had subjected Henry to “substantial physical torture,” which will result in a mandatory 99-year sentence for her killing. He also faces a sentence of 30 to 99 years for Abouchuk’s murder. During the trial, the jurors were shown videos made by Smith, including audio in which Henry can be heard gasping for air before her death.
The footage did not show Smith’s face, but his South African accent can be heard narrating the violence, speaking as if he were addressing a viewing audience as he urges Henry to die during the assault. Prosecutor Heather Nobrega said that Smith had admitted to killing both Henry and Abouchuk and had even shown a girlfriend a picture of him sexually abusing Abouchuk’s body.
Smith’s defense attorney attacked the credibility of a key witness in the case, a sex worker who stole Smith’s phone and found the graphic footage. The witness, Valerie Casler, changed her story over the years about how the files came into her possession.
During interrogation, Smith admitted to Henry’s killing and also confessed to murdering Abouchuk. His wife, Stephanie Bissland, stated that she plans to remain married to him and visit him in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July.