Brian Smith : Smith Texts Anchorage Man After Hotel Room Killing, Meets at Hillside Park

In the early hours of September 4, 2019, shocking videos and images of Kathleen Henry’s brutal torture and murder were being captured, while Brian Smith sent a chilling text message to an Anchorage man.

At 12:54 a.m., Smith texted, “Heh. You up? I’m having fun,” as per phone records presented as evidence in Smith’s ongoing murder trial for the deaths of Henry, 30, and Veronica Abouchuk, 52.

The trial reached a pivotal point on Wednesday as both the prosecution and defense concluded their cases. The defense opted not to call any witnesses, and Smith chose not to testify in his defense. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday in this high-profile three-week trial.

Wednesday’s proceedings shed light on a perplexing aspect of the trial: Why did Smith head to an Anchorage Hillside park shortly after allegedly committing the murders, a time when he claimed to be driving around with Henry’s body in his truck?

Meeting with Ian Calhoun

Anchorage Police Department Detective Brendan Lee testified that Smith was en route to meet the individual he had messaged, Ian Calhoun, a 27-year-old drummer from an Anchorage heavy metal band.

Text and Facebook message exchanges between Smith and Calhoun were meticulously examined during Wednesday’s court session, unraveling a disturbing narrative.

The Eerie Exchange

Calhoun, through his attorney, invoked his right against self-incrimination, leaving pivotal questions unanswered during the trial. Despite a request for prosecutorial immunity to testify, which was ultimately denied, Calhoun chose not to incriminate himself through testimony.

Notably, Calhoun has not been charged with any criminal offense, as per court records.

A Startling Revelation

The exchanges between Smith and Calhoun continued on September 4, with plans to meet at Forsythe Park on the Anchorage Hillside. Smith, as per his account, was driving around with Henry’s body concealed in his truck during this time.

The dialogue between the two individuals extended to October 2, coinciding with the discovery of Henry’s remains near Mile 108.5 of the Seward Highway.

Critical Surveillance Footage

Jurors were presented with surveillance footage from a local McDonald’s on September 6, shortly after Smith was tracked to Mile 108.5 where Henry’s remains were later found. The video depicted Smith purchasing food while accompanied by an unidentified woman, adding another layer of intrigue to the case.

The trial is set to conclude with closing statements on Thursday, with Smith facing a potential life sentence if convicted of the crimes attributed to him.