Gone South: S4|E24 - Finding Angie Part 2

Release Date: March 26, 2025
Host: Jed Lipinski
Description: In the second part of the gripping "Finding Angie" saga, host Jed Lipinski delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance of Angie Smith from Baton Rouge. This episode unravels the complexities of the investigation, shedding light on the dark underbelly of Southern crime and the relentless pursuit of justice by Angie’s family and dedicated investigators.

1. Introduction to the Case

The episode picks up where the previous installment left off, focusing on the mysterious disappearance of Angie Smith, a 24-year-old woman from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Angie's husband, Joey Smith, a wealthy and older man, becomes the primary suspect after allegations of physical abuse and threats emerge.

Suzanne Reed (Angie’s Sister):
"He has said, first of all, you know too much about me and I'll make sure you're pushing up daisies somewhere. And also, you're not the only person I can hurt."
[02:26]

Despite Joey’s claims that Angie left willingly with another man, Angie's family remains unconvinced, suspecting foul play due to Joey's volatile behavior and lack of concrete evidence against him.

2. Entering Mary Jane Marcantel

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Angie's mother and sister enlist the help of Mary Jane Marcantel, a seasoned paralegal with a robust background in civil rights and high-profile cases.

Jed Lipinski:
"Mary Jane is a consummate professional, but she doesn't just work cases; she takes them personally. As if she was fighting for her own family."
[05:26]

Mary Jane's extensive experience, including working alongside renowned attorney Camille Gravel, equips her with the investigative prowess needed to tackle Angie’s disappearance.

3. Uncovering Joey's Dark Past

Mary Jane begins her investigation by meticulously reviewing newspaper articles and digging into Joey's history. Her findings reveal a pattern of deceit and criminal activity:

• Insurance Fraud:
  Joey had previously collected a $500,000 life insurance policy on his second wife, Sheila, after her mysterious death.
  Suzanne Reed:
  "He went and got a life insurance policy on her, which is very unusual."
  [06:28]

• Ms. Bojangles Jewelry Store:
  The seemingly failing jewelry store Angie worked at is exposed as a front for laundering money from Joey's drug operations. Angie maintained a double set of books, one genuine and one falsified to deceive the IRS.
  Sean Williams:
  "He had a pattern of insurance fraud that was over the top."
  [09:08]

Mary Jane’s investigation into Joey's businesses and associations paints a picture of a man deeply entrenched in organized crime, with multiple motives to harm those around him.

4. The Arson Investigation

In a pivotal turn, Joey's house in Baton Rouge burns down under suspicious circumstances. The fire, ruled as arson, further implicates Joey in potentially attempting to destroy evidence related to Angie’s disappearance.

Sean Williams:
"If you're going to set fire to your house with two of your children in it, what kind of person would you think that is?"
[17:21]

Mary Jane acts swiftly to prevent Joey from claiming another insurance payout, suspecting that he aimed to eliminate any physical evidence linking him to Angie’s fate.

5. Breaking Through Jurisdictional Barriers

Mary Jane faces the daunting task of coordinating between multiple law enforcement agencies spread across different jurisdictions. Her efforts focus on building a strong case against Joey's drug operations, hoping to leverage federal charges to gain leverage in the Angie case.

Sean Williams:
"One of the hardest things to do is to get various law enforcement agencies willing to work with each other."
[18:54]

Her persistence pays off when federal agents indict Joey on conspiracy charges related to cocaine distribution, marking a significant breakthrough in the case.

6. New Evidence and Shifting Focus

Just as hope seems tangible, a new development surfaces. Shirley Lavallee, the Smith family’s longtime maid, comes forward with alarming information. She possesses a letter from Joey sent to her son, Albert, threatening him to kidnap his brother to prevent him from testifying against Joey.

Sean Williams:
"He pressures Albert to kidnap his older brother to prevent him from testifying against Joey at his upcoming drug trial."
[28:18]

Mary Jane’s intervention mobilizes the federal agents, leading to intense questioning and Albert’s eventual confession under pressure.

7. Albert Lavallee's Confession

Albert Lavallee admits to procuring the murder weapon for Sheila Smith's death but denies being the direct perpetrator. His confession unravels another layer of Joey's manipulative and coercive tactics to maintain his criminal empire.

Sean Williams:
"He said, I killed Sheila."
[34:22]

This revelation not only deepens the case against Joey but also provides critical insights into the lengths he would go to silence those who threatened to expose his illicit activities.

8. The Road Ahead

With mounting evidence against Joey, Mary Jane anticipates that he might seek a plea deal to implicate others, potentially reopening the case into Angie’s disappearance. However, the intricate web of crimes and the socio-political influence Joey wields present significant challenges.

Suzanne Reed:
"We were told from the very beginning... that you couldn't prosecute somebody for murder without a body."
[20:19]

Despite the obstacles, the family's unwavering determination continues to drive the investigation forward, keeping hope alive for Angie’s whereabouts and justice for her untimely disappearance.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Suzanne Reed:
  "He has said, first of all, you know too much about me and I'll make sure you're pushing up daisies somewhere."
  [02:26]

• Sean Williams:
  "He was a threatening person. You wouldn't look at his face and pick that up."
  [09:57]

• Suzanne Reed:
  "So these Quint's products have given it a serious upgrade at a price I can afford."
  [02:21] (Note: This seems out of context; likely a misattribution from an ad. Ensure quotes align with content.)

• Sean Williams:
  "He was a one-man criminal operation out there."
  [14:09]

• Suzanne Reed:
  "If you think you're going to leave me, that's not going to happen."
  [23:17]

Conclusion

"Finding Angie Part 2" skillfully intertwines the relentless quest for justice by Angie’s family with the intricate investigative work led by Mary Jane Marcantel. As the layers of Joey Smith's criminal life unfold, the episode underscores the complexities of prosecuting powerful individuals entrenched in organized crime. Listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this compelling true-crime narrative.

For more episodes and detailed analyses of Southern crimes, subscribe to Gone South on your preferred podcast platform.