At a Glance
- Timothy Smith, 59, was found dead on March 25, 2023 in a second-residence apartment used for sex dates.
- His husband, 55-year-old Herbert Swilley, called for a welfare check after Smith failed to respond to calls and missed work.
- A deputy discovered Smith’s body with ligature marks, blunt-force trauma and a cervical spine fracture.
- Why it matters: The case is the focus of a new episode of People Magazine Investigates, raising questions about hate crime, revenge, and the dark side of private parties.
The murder of Timothy Smith shocked a tight-knit community in Ocala, Florida, and has become the subject of a high-profile investigative television episode.
The Family and Their Parties
Timothy Smith and his husband, Herbert Swilley, were well-known for hosting lavish New Year’s Eve gatherings that drew friends, neighbors and local celebrities. The couple’s eighth wedding anniversary was just five months away, a milestone they had planned to celebrate together.
They owned a second residence in Citrus City, a property that had become a popular venue for sex dates. Inside the apartment, a deputy later found a swing, chains, a toolbox filled with sex toys, whips, and a massage table, suggesting the space was used for pleasure and not just as a rental.
The Night of the Discovery
The mystery began on Thursday, March 24, 2023, when Swilley and others noticed Smith was not answering a flurry of calls or texts. The situation worsened when Smith did not show up for his job as executive director at a senior-living center.
On Friday, March 25, 2023, Swilley, then 55, drove to the apartment. He found Smith’s Jeep parked inside but received no response when he knocked on the door. Without a key, Swilley called 911 to request a welfare check.
While waiting outside, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy entered the apartment. The living room and kitchen appeared normal, but the deputy was shocked to find a bedroom filled with sexual equipment. He then entered the master bedroom and discovered Smith’s body lying between the bed and a closet.
Smith was wearing only a T-shirt and shoes. He had a dark ligature mark around his neck, and the coroner later ruled that he had suffered blunt-force trauma to his face and genitals, as well as a fracture to his cervical spine.
The Investigation
The coroner’s findings raised many questions: Was this a hate crime? Was it revenge? Or did a sex date go wrong? These questions drive the investigation.
The case is the focus of the next episode of People Magazine Investigates, titled “Sex House Homicide.” The episode will air Monday, January 26 at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery and will stream on HBO Max.
Detective Karla Santana has been leading the investigation. She and her team are working to determine the motive and to identify any suspects. They are reviewing surveillance footage from the apartment complex, interviewing witnesses, and examining the sexual equipment that was found.
Community Impact
The murder has left the Ocala community stunned. Friends who once celebrated together are now dealing with grief and fear. The incident has sparked conversations about safety at private parties and the potential dangers of venues that serve as both homes and sexual pleasure spaces.
Local law enforcement has issued a statement urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. They also remind residents to report any suspicious activity and to keep their doors locked.
Key Takeaways
- Timothy Smith’s death on March 25, 2023 remains unsolved.
- The apartment’s sexual equipment suggests the location was used for sex dates.
- The investigation is still ongoing, with detectives exploring hate-crime, revenge, and accidental death theories.
- The story will be featured in a new episode of People Magazine Investigates, offering deeper insight into the case.
The community awaits answers, hoping that the investigation will bring closure and prevent future tragedies.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 24, 2023 | Swilley and friends notice Smith missing and not answering calls |
| March 25, 2023 | Swilley attempts to check on Smith, calls 911, deputy discovers body |
| January 26, 2024 | People Magazine Investigates episode airs |
The investigation continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
