Glennis Smith, a 48-year-old man from Elk Grove, California, is under investigation for the alleged murder of his wife, Jennifer Smith-Floyd, 49. Smith had dialed 911 on January 12, 2023, reporting that his wife was unconscious and not breathing. However, police now suspect that Smith may have been responsible for her death.
According to a press statement released last Thursday, the couple had been married for five years but had been living separately for several months before the incident. Emergency services arrived at Smith’s residence, where they attempted to provide medical aid to Smith-Floyd. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the investigation, authorities found traces of fentanyl in Smith-Floyd’s system. They believe that Smith had spiked her food with the drug on two separate occasions without her knowledge. The first alleged poisoning incident occurred on January 11, a day before Smith-Floyd’s death.
Sgt. Jason Jimenez of the Elk Grove Police Department revealed that Smith-Floyd had been rushed to a local hospital the day before her death due to what was initially thought to be an allergic reaction to food. In the months following her death, Smith is also suspected of setting fire to their travel trailer to claim insurance money. As a result, he now faces charges of murder and insurance fraud.
Smith has a criminal history, having previously served time in prison for spousal rape against a former wife. Despite these allegations, neighbors expressed surprise at the murder charge, describing Smith as a good neighbor and a pleasant individual.
Smith-Floyd’s family remembers her as a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend. They described her as a champion for women, always encouraging and empowering them. Her untimely death has left them devastated, and they mourn the loss of a woman who, in their words, “didn’t deserve this.”
The Elk Grove Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Smith-Floyd is survived by two children.