Gone South: S4|E25 - "Finding Angie Part 3"
Release Date: April 2, 2025
Host: Jed Lipinski | Produced by Audacy Podcasts

Overview

In the gripping third installment of the "Finding Angie" series, Gone South delves deeper into the mysterious disappearance of Angie Smith, the third wife of Joey Smith. Host Jed Lipinski, alongside key contributors Mary Jane Marcantel and detective Dale Broussard, unravels a complex web of crime, betrayal, and unfulfilled justice. This episode meticulously chronicles the pivotal moments that shifted the case from unresolved disappearance to a convoluted murder-for-hire investigation, highlighting the human elements intertwined with Southern criminal lore.

The Letter and Albert Lavallee’s Confession

The episode begins with the breakthrough discovery of a letter authored by Joey Smith to his former farmhand, Albert Lavallee. This letter, intercepted by detectives with the assistance of Mary Jane Marcantel, is revealed to be a coercive plea aimed at compelling Albert to kidnap his older brother. Joey threatened severe repercussions, including implicating Albert in a pair of murders leading to the death penalty, should he refuse.

At [02:41], Mary Jane explains:

Mary Jane Marcantel [02:41]: "The letter pressured Albert to kidnap his older brother to prevent him from testifying at Joey's upcoming drug trial. If he refused, Joey warned he would implicate Albert in a pair of murders, for which he would likely receive the death penalty."

This revelation set the stage for Albert's interrogation, where he initially confessed to orchestrating the murder of Joey's second wife, Sheila Smith. Albert detailed his involvement, from procuring the weapon to disposing of Sheila's jewelry to fabricate a burglary scene. However, his confession took a dramatic turn when he later admitted:

Albert Lavallee [03:05]: "I killed Sheila."
Detective Dale Broussard [03:39]: "You did what?"

Albert's admission, captured on tape, marked a significant advancement in the case, transforming it from a drug-related investigation to a murder-for-hire probe.

Trials and Convictions

Following Albert's confession, both he and Joey Smith were indicted on first-degree murder charges for Sheila's death. Mary Jane Marcantel emphasizes the gravity of these charges:

Mary Jane Marcantel [04:08]: "Albert and Joey were tried separately for the murder of Sheila Smith. Albert's trial came first."

Albert’s trial was marked by emotional testimonies from Suzanne Reed, Angie’s sister, who expressed profound disbelief and hope that the conviction would aid in uncovering Angie’s fate. Despite the compelling evidence, including Albert's confession and threatening letters from Joey, the legal battles were fraught with challenges, primarily due to Albert's reluctance to testify against Joey. His refusal cast a shadow over the prosecution's case, relying heavily on circumstantial evidence.

As the trials concluded, Albert was sentenced to death, while Joey received a life sentence. The contrasting outcomes underscored systemic issues of race and power dynamics within the legal system, as Suzanne Reed critiques:

Suzanne Reed [14:50]: "You know, I am in no way, shape or form defending murder because you always have a choice, no matter what your circumstances are. But there are circumstances, right?"

The Disappearance of Angie Smith

Despite the convictions, the disappearance of Angie Smith remained unresolved. Mary Jane Marcantel continued her relentless pursuit of answers, uncovering intermittent leads and enduring setbacks. A critical moment occurred when a deputy revealed that Albert had, two years prior, purportedly disclosed knowledge of Angie’s burial site. However, a mix-up by Detective Broussard initially led to confusion between Sheila's case and Angie’s, delaying further investigation.

Mary Jane narrates:

Mary Jane Marcantel [22:11]: "To her horror, Mary Jane realized what happened. Dale had mixed up the murder of Sheila with the disappearance of Angie and Joey's third wife."

This revelation rekindled hope, but Albert’s environment on death row and subsequent release in 2023 due to a gubernatorial commutation complicated direct communication. Efforts to reach Albert were stymied by legal representatives, leaving Angie’s fate shrouded in mystery.

Albert's Release and Lingering Hopes

In a turn of events, Albert Lavallee was released from prison in December 2023 after Governor John Bel Edwards commuted his death sentence. Mary Jane Marcantel seized this opportunity to reconnect, but faced bureaucratic hurdles as both the governor’s office and state police declined her requests to facilitate contact. Eventually, after several years and a reduction of his sentence to life imprisonment, Suzanne Reed and her mother managed to meet Albert at Angola Prison.

Suzanne reflects on the encounter:

Suzanne Reed [32:31]: "Meeting Albert at Angola Prison was an experience that is hard to describe. ... the more remorseful he sounds and the more I start to see him as a total human being instead of just like a murderer."

Despite their heartfelt attempts, Albert remained reticent about Angie’s whereabouts. Through continued correspondence, Mary Jane and Suzanne sought any fragment of information that could lead to Angie, but Albert’s fear—exacerbated by threats to his family—prevented him from divulging crucial details. Suzanne poignantly shares:

Suzanne Reed [37:08]: "Not knowing where Angie's body is is like this wound that never heals."

Conclusions and Reflections

As the episode draws to a close, Mary Jane Marcantel acknowledges the enduring pain of unresolved cases:

Mary Jane Marcantel [39:28]: "Today, Mary Jane is resigned to the idea that she may never learn what happened to Angie Smith. ... she takes solace in the thought that a measure of justice was served."

Detective Dale Broussard concurs, contemplating the limitations of the justice system:

Dale Broussard [39:43]: "I would love to have found Angie's body where she could be buried, but in reality, sometimes things like that just don't come to fruition, and this one didn't."

The episode encapsulates the intricate interplay of justice, power, and personal loss within Southern crime narratives, leaving listeners with a profound sense of the lingering mysteries that continue to haunt families like Suzanne Reed's.

Key Quotes with Attribution

• Mary Jane Marcantel [02:41]: "The letter pressured Albert to kidnap his older brother to prevent him from testifying at Joey's upcoming drug trial."

• Albert Lavallee [03:05]: "I killed Sheila."

• Mary Jane Marcantel [04:08]: "Albert and Joey were tried separately for the murder of Sheila Smith."

• Suzanne Reed [14:50]: "But there are circumstances, right?"

• Mary Jane Marcantel [22:11]: "To her horror, Mary Jane realized what happened. Dale had mixed up the murder of Sheila with the disappearance of Angie."

• Suzanne Reed [32:31]: "I started to see him as a total human being instead of just like a murderer."

• Suzanne Reed [37:08]: "Not knowing where Angie's body is is like this wound that never heals."

• Mary Jane Marcantel [39:28]: "Today, Mary Jane is resigned to the idea that she may never learn what happened to Angie Smith."

• Dale Broussard [39:43]: "Sometimes things like that just don't come to fruition, and this one didn't."

Final Thoughts

"Finding Angie Part 3" serves as a poignant exploration of the elusive quest for truth and closure in the face of systemic obstacles and human frailties. Through meticulous reporting and empathetic storytelling, Gone South not only recounts a compelling true crime case but also underscores the broader themes of justice, memory, and the enduring scars left by unresolved tragedies in the Southern landscape.

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This summary captures the essence and critical moments of the episode, ensuring that listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the narrative, even without having tuned in.