Jamilla “Millie” Shanae Smith Murdered in Aiken County South Carolina

Jamilla “Millie” Shanae’ Smith was a 30-year-old mother of two young children, known in her community as a dedicated parent and loving daughter. A resident of the Beech Island area in Aiken County, South Carolina, she maintained close ties with her family and was celebrated by friends for her warm personality and strong work ethic. Millie’s home—located on Old Jackson Highway—was often filled with laughter and family gatherings until the early morning hours of December 2, 2023, when her life was violently cut short.

Relationship with Her Ex-Boyfriend

Millie had previously been in a relationship with Daniel Gabriel Harmon, 34. According to law-enforcement records, their history included multiple domestic-violence incidents. In November 2023, a month before her disappearance, Harmon was reported to have strangled Smith during an altercation. Despite these warning signs, no long-term protective measures appear to have been in place when the fatal incident occurred.

The December 2, 2023 911 Call

On the night of December 2, 2023, Millie made a frantic call to 911, stating that her ex-boyfriend had broken into her home and was chasing her down a nearby road. The dispatcher recorded sounds of an engine revving, Millie’s screams, and then abrupt silence as the call abruptly disconnected. An affidavit obtained later described a male voice telling her to get into a vehicle to be taken to the hospital, with Millie repeatedly crying out, “No, don’t touch me, don’t hurt me, please,” and accusing him of having “run me over”.

Initial Missing-Person Investigation

Millie was reported missing on December 3, 2023, when her mother, Tina McCraw, filed the first missing-person report after finding no trace of her daughter. Although deputies initially responded to the 911 call location, they left when no evidence was found and only returned after the formal missing-person report ﹣ a delay that Millie’s family would later lament as critical lost time.

Arrest of Daniel G. Harmon

On December 5, 2023, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office located Harmon during a standoff at a property in North Augusta. He was taken into custody and initially charged with kidnapping. A search of his rented 2023 black Dodge Charger revealed blood evidence inside the trunk and on a spare tire, prompting an upgrade of charges to include felony murder and kidnapping. In January 2024, Harmon also faced additional drug-trafficking counts—possession of roughly 19 grams of cocaine and 16 grams of fentanyl—stemming from the same vehicle search.

Family’s Pleas for Closure

In mid-December 2023 and again on January 29, 2024, Millie’s family gathered outside the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office to plead for decisive action and closure. Her father, Jame Smith, vowed, “I am asking the community… I will be here until I find her and bring her home,” expressing deep frustration over perceived investigative delays. Family members described the devastating impact on Millie’s two young children and her elderly grandparents, who continued to hold out hope for her safe return.

Arrests of Accessory Suspects

As the investigation progressed, authorities identified two additional suspects:

• Bryan Alexander Hampton Jr., 35, was charged on April 19, 2024, with accessory after the fact to murder. Investigators allege he provided Harmon with transportation, cell phones, and assisted in disposing of Millie’s body and related evidence between December 2 and 4, 2023.
• Clyde James Hendley II, 46, was arrested shortly thereafter on similar accessory charges, accused of aiding in the concealment of the crime ﹣ though exact details of his involvement remain under seal pending prosecution.

Discovery of Remains and Autopsy Findings

Following months of painstaking search efforts, deputies recovered human remains on May 10, 2024, from a wooded area off Silver Bluff Road—approximately ten minutes from Millie’s home. The Aiken County Coroner, Darryl Ables, conducted an autopsy on May 13, 2024, officially ruling Millie’s cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head. Toxicology reports were pending but did not contradict the homicide finding.

Forensic and Investigative Details

Law-enforcement officials emphasized the complex nature of homicide investigations. Deputies coordinated with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to process crime-scene evidence, including:

• Analysis of blood patterns and DNA from Harmon’s vehicle.
• Ballistics testing on firearms recovered from nearby searches.
• Surveillance review on traffic cameras and private CCTV around Silver Bluff Road.
• Interviews with neighbors who reported hearing screams and a car engine revving in the early hours of December 3.

Public Information Officer Eric Abdullah noted that “murder investigations take time to produce clear answers,” stressing the need for thorough forensic work to ensure a solid case for prosecution.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

As of mid-2024, the following charges are pending:

• Daniel G. Harmon: Felony murder, kidnapping, and drug-trafficking (cocaine and fentanyl), with no bond allowed due to flight risk and violent nature of charges.
• Bryan Alexander Hampton Jr. and Clyde James Hendley II: Accessory after the fact to murder, each held without bond pending pretrial hearings.

All defendants have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the maximum penalties, citing the cold-blooded execution-style killing of a defenseless mother.

Impact on the Community

The violent nature of Millie’s death and the protracted search shook Aiken County deeply. Community members organized prayer vigils and vigils in local parks, while advocacy groups highlighted the case as emblematic of the dangers of domestic violence. Lawmakers in Columbia discussed potential legislative reforms to improve response protocols for 911 calls and missing-person reports, aiming to prevent future tragedies.

Calls for Domestic-Violence Reforms

Domestic-violence advocates pointed to systemic gaps exposed by this case:

• Under-resourced family-violence units in rural jurisdictions.
• Delayed protective orders even after documented assault reports.
• The need for rapid response protocols when 911 calls indicate active physical danger.

Several state legislators announced plans to introduce bills mandating specialized domestic-violence training for first responders and automatic welfare checks following high-risk 911 calls.

The Search for Justice and Healing

For Millie’s two children, now in the care of relatives, each holiday and birthday arrives shadowed by their mother’s absence. The Smith family established the Jamilla “Millie” Smith Memorial Fund, offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to conviction, and partnering with local nonprofits to support children of homicide victims.

Though the trial dates remain unsettled amid motions and evidentiary battles, Millie’s family and community members cling to hope that the coming court proceedings will finally deliver accountability and closure.