In this powerful true-crime episode of Nurse Chat Diaries,host Daman takes listeners into one of South Carolina’s most haunting cases —the 1985 abduction and murder of 17-year-old Shari Faye Smith and 9-year-old Debra May Helmick.

When a soft-spoken caller began tormenting the Smith familywith phone calls after Shari’s disappearance, no one could have imagined how much those calls would reveal.
Through recorded evidence, letters, and the courage of grieving families, investigators unmasked a killer hiding in plain sight — Larry Gene Bell. This is not just a story of horror, but of faith and resilience. It’s about a young woman’s bravery, a family’s grace, and how love spoke louder than evil. “I love you Mom and Dad and Dawn. God is with me no matterwhat.” — Shari Faye Smith, 1985

⚖️ Trigger warning: Thisepisode contains discussions of abduction, violence, and trauma. If you or someone you know has been affected by crime or abuse, help is available 24/7. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit RAINN.org.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. (2025, February24). Cold Case Unit identifies offender in homicide investigation. https://www.charlottenc.gov/cmpd/News-Information/Newsroom/Cold-Case-Unit-Identifies-Offender-in-Homicide-Investigation

Douglas, J. (2022, January 26). Ret. FBI profiler JohnDouglas on Larry Gene Bell. A&E. https://www.aetv.com/articles/john-douglas-shari-smith

United Press International. (1996, October 4). Man whokilled two executed. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/10/04/Man-who-killed-two-executed/1199844401600/

WCCB Charlotte. (2025, February 24). Suspected serialkiller executed nearly 30 years ago connected to Charlotte cold case. https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2025/02/24/suspected-serial-killer-executed-nearly-30-years-ago-connected-to-charlotte-cold-case/

WCNC Charlotte. (2025, February 24). 40-year-oldCharlotte cold case finally solved. https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-40-year-old-cold-case/275-404fa1ba-124e-4597-9d44-94e8e5708e8d

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Larry Gene Bell.Wikipedia. Retrieved November 6, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Gene_Bell

Court opinions hosted online

State v. Bell, 302 S.C. 18 (1990). Justia. https://law.justia.com/cases/south-carolina/supreme-court/1990/23163-2.html

Bell v. Evatt, 72 F.3d 421 (4th Cir. 1995). Justia. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/72/421/501070/

Library/Book web record (context source)

Shuler, R. Y. (2007). Murder in the Midlands: Larry GeneBell and the 28 days of terror that shook South Carolina. History Press.Richland Library catalog record: https://www.richlandlibrary.com/catalog/detail/272902

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