A teenage student at Indiana University mysteriously vanished after leaving text messages on his sister’s phone. Just days later, his body was discovered in a nearby lake, raising more questions than answers. The first half of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Still a Mystery: Indiana Unsolved’ focuses on the mysterious death of Joseph Smedley and the events leading up to it. So, if you’re interested in learning more, we’ve got you covered.
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How Did Joseph Smedley Pass Away?
Joseph Smedley II was a bright, witty, and happy child who grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was estranged from his parents after they divorced when he was young. Joseph, on the other hand, was close to his sister, Vivianne Bernas, and spoke to her virtually every day. The 20-year-old was a sophomore at Indiana University by 2015. He was a biochemistry student who resided off campus with some fraternity guys.
Vivianne reported Joseph missing on September 28, 2015, after she was unable to contact him through phone or text message. She had last spoken to her brother the night before. The family found that Joseph was last seen by his roommates on September 27, 2015, about 11:30 p.m. Then, on October 2, 2015, a fisherman discovered Joseph’s remains in Griffy Lake, Indiana. He was fully dressed, with binoculars around his neck. The coroner found that Joseph drowned and that the cause of death was suicide. According to the report, Joseph was carrying a backpack containing approximately 66 pounds of pebbles.
Was Joseph Smedley murdered?
According to the show, Vivianne received a call from his former landlord approximately a week before Joseph Smedley’s disappearance about a sum he owed, and he had until September 28, 2015, to clear it. On the evening of September 27, Vivianne spoke with Joseph, who stated that he would drop off the check the next day. That, however, never occurred. On September 28, around 4 a.m., Vivianne received a distressing message on Joseph’s phone.
“Viv,” the message said. I adore you. I’m going to leave the nation. I’m keeping you secure and protected by not telling you why. Please do not attempt to call me at this number; it is inoperable. I’ll contact you after I’m settled in abroad. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Viv. And I apologize.” Because he didn’t even have a passport, Vivianne initially felt it was a prank. But she became concerned when she couldn’t reach the little student the next day.
The family discovered that Joseph had not attended courses on September 28, and that his roommates had seen him before going to bed the night before. A note on Joseph’s bed revealed his departure from the country and was signed Smedley. Vivianne, on the other hand, was adamant that it was not her brother who penned it. The handwriting didn’t match, and she claimed that Joseph disliked having his last name used.
Then, in a tragic turn of events, Joseph’s body was discovered in Griffy Lake, thereby terminating the hunt but raising new suspicions. The coroner deemed the death a suicide about two months after the body was discovered. The family, on the other hand, had an autopsy performed by an independent forensic pathologist. The results were shocking. According to the episode, Joseph had hemorrhaging on his back, and the doctor suspected an undetermined or accidental death. Vivianne also alleged that the authorities refused to share information with the pathologist, causing their search for answers to be hampered. Furthermore, the family believed that Joseph would not have burdened himself down with boulders in order to commit suicide.
Joseph’s mobile data indicated that he was driving around. He didn’t have a working car, according to Vivianne, so he could have been with someone before his death. The data also revealed that Joseph’s phone was only used for outgoing communication between 11 p.m. on September 27 and 4 a.m. on September 28. “Now, for you guys who like to use your cell phone, that’s a long time to not say anything,” Vivianne continued.
The officials maintain that Joseph committed suicide, but the family is not convinced. They have asked for the probe to be reopened, with a petition garnering over 100,000 signatures. “We still care about Joseph,” Vivianne said in July 2020. We haven’t moved on, and we’re still looking for justice for him because we don’t believe it received the attention it deserved.”
5 Things You Should Know About Joseph Smedley
1. He informed a family member that he would be leaving the country.
Smedley is 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds, according to his missing poster. Smedley has brown eyes and brown hair. According to Fox Indianapolis, a family member made the official complaint that he was missing. According to that family, the student stated that he was leaving the country.
2. His sister made a heartfelt plea for his return.
Friends and family are using the hashtag “#FindJosephSmedley” to aid in the search for him. Meanwhile, on her Facebook page, his sister, Vivi Smedz, said, “***PLEASE READ*** I’ve been waiting to publish until this was official, but if you haven’t heard by now, my brother, Joseph Smedley, is gone and has been reported missing. His housemates last saw him at his residence in Bloomington, IN, and I last heard from him approximately 4 a.m. on September 28th. If you see him or have been contacted by him, please call me and/or the IU Police Department right once. He’s been missing for two days, and the police search has been fruitless. PLEASE SHARE AND REPOST!!!!”
3. He tweeted, ‘If Found Dead in Police Custody…It Wasn’t Suicide.’
Smedley describes himself as a biochemistry undergraduate on his Twitter page. In his description, he adds, “If found dead in police custody, it wasn’t suicide.” And I don’t want peaceful demonstrations.” His most recent tweet, dated June 15, says, “Perhaps I have said too much.” His website’s background image is a photo of the periodic table.
4. He worked as a house painter on the side.
Smedley had been working as a painter while at school, according to his Facebook page. He was born in Indianapolis. Smedley claims to be unmarried and began at IU in August 2013.
5. Lauren Spierer, an IU student, is still missing four years later.
Lauren Spierer’s disappearance was the most publicized case of a missing Indiana University student. She went missing after a night of drinking in Bloomington. Her body was never discovered, and her case remains unsolved.
