On the morning of June 7, 1995, 14-year-old Nacole Smith was just days away from graduating middle school. That day, she walked with her sister and a friend, heading to school in southwest Atlanta. But when she realized she had forgotten a homework assignment, she turned back alone to retrieve it—a routine decision that changed everything.
She took a familiar shortcut through the woods near her home. Tragically, she never made it back.
A Predator in the Shadows
Hidden in those woods was a predator waiting to strike. Nacole was ambushed, brutally raped and shot twice in the face. Her body was discovered shortly after the attack, sparking grief and fear throughout the community.
Atlanta police responded swiftly. Investigators canvassed the neighborhood, interviewed residents, and worked leads tirelessly. However, their efforts were met with frustration. The killer had left behind no fingerprints, no witnesses, and no motive—only one critical clue: DNA.
Unfortunately, in 1995, DNA technology couldn’t provide an identity without a match. And so, the case went cold.
A Second Attack, Same DNA
Nine years later, in 2004, the case was suddenly back in the spotlight. A 13-year-old girl named Betty Brown survived a terrifying assault in the same area where Nacole had been killed.
The attacker fled—but once again, he left behind a DNA sample. When tested, it matched the DNA from Nacole Smith’s case.
The revelation was both chilling and crucial: a serial predator was still on the loose. Yet, despite now having two confirmed attacks, the suspect’s identity remained a mystery.
Detectives had a genetic fingerprint—but no name.
Decades of Determination
Over the next 18 years, Atlanta investigators refused to give up. Cold case detectives like Detective Vince Velazquez and others preserved evidence, re-interviewed people, and kept the file open—waiting for science to catch up with justice.
Meanwhile, advances in forensic genetic genealogy—the same method that caught the Golden State Killer—were changing the game. With this new technology, police could compare suspect DNA with public genealogy databases, building family trees to trace suspects.
A Breakthrough 26 Years Later
In 2021, detectives partnered with genetic genealogists, submitting the DNA from both crime scenes. What followed was months of data analysis and family tracing.
Finally, in January 2022, the breakthrough came: the DNA matched Kevin Arnold, a man with a violent history and ties to the Atlanta area during the 1990s.
But the news came with a cruel twist.
Arnold had died of natural causes just five months earlier. Although investigators had finally named the killer, he would never face a courtroom, nor answer for his crimes.
Justice Delivered, Too Late
For Nacole Smith’s mother, the discovery brought a mix of emotions. Relief that her daughter’s killer had a name. Heartache that he had evaded accountability.
Still, the closure provided by the case’s resolution brought some measure of peace. After nearly three decades, the question that haunted her family and community had finally been answered.
Detectives held a press conference in 2022, confirming that Kevin Arnold was the confirmed killer in both the 1995 Nacole Smith murder and the 2004 assault on Betty Brown.
Was Nacole Smith His Only Victim?
Authorities don’t believe so.
Now, they’re actively investigating other cold cases, using Arnold’s DNA profile to search for additional victims. Given the time gap between attacks and the methodical nature of both crimes, police suspect he may have assaulted more girls—possibly in different states.
The FBI and local agencies are reviewing old files, looking for patterns and evidence that match Arnold’s profile.
Lessons from a Cold Case Solved
The Nacole Smith murder case illustrates how modern forensics can revive long-forgotten files. It also shows the power of persistence, as detectives refused to close the book on Nacole’s life.
“Justice doesn’t stop,” said Detective Velazquez. “It may take time. It may take decades. But we never stop chasing the truth.”
For Nacole’s family, and for the city of Atlanta, that dedication brought long-awaited answers—and a reminder that no case is ever too old to solve.
FAQs
Who was Nacole Smith?
Nacole Smith was a 14-year-old student in Atlanta who was brutally raped and murdered on June 7, 1995, while walking home to retrieve her homework.
When was her killer identified?
Her killer, Kevin Arnold, was identified in January 2022 through forensic genetic genealogy, 26 years after her death.
Was Arnold alive when he was identified?
No. Kevin Arnold died five months before his DNA was matched to the crime scenes.
Did Arnold commit more crimes?
Police believe he likely did. Arnold is also linked to a 2004 assault and may be tied to other unsolved cases.
What role did DNA play in solving the case?
DNA collected from both crime scenes eventually led to Arnold’s identification using advanced genealogical analysis.
Is the case officially closed?
Yes, the Nacole Smith murder case is considered solved, but investigations into additional victims are ongoing.