Federal authorities ask for help from public in search for fugitive accused of killing pregnant girlfriend 3 years ago

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Three and a half years after a young pregnant mother was found dead in Southwest Philadelphia, federal authorities are still looking for her boyfriend, who is suspected of her murder.

Justin Smith is believed to have killed his pregnant girlfriend , 21-year-old Dianna Brice, in March of 2021, dumping her body, and setting his car on fire — then fleeing south to Florida.

The last time Brice was seen alive, she was getting into Smith’s car. That car was later found burning in Cobbs Creek. Brice’s body was found a week later, not far from the location of the car.

“She was the mother of his unborn child. Something like that is just egregious. It’s horrific,” said police Lt. Tom Walsh, who is heading up the investigation and working with the FBI to search for Smith. “What could it take for somebody to kill the mother of their unborn child? There is nothing in the world that should raise their temper that much.”

Smith has been on the run ever since, police say.

“There’s been reports seeing him in Little Haiti, in Miami. Just recently we got a report that he was out in Las Vegas and he has connections to Greensboro, North Carolina,” said Walsh.

“We are tracking the socials and keeping track of any phone numbers he might have.”

Walsh says tips from the public have been the most helpful in trying to track him.

Authorities say Tylydiah Garnett helped Smith .

“We were able to use some phone work and tracked Justin to his garage, down in Kensington. And from there, we retrieved surveillance video that showed Ms. Garnett coming to location actually taking trash bags and a blanket out of her car and taking them into Smith’s garage,” Walsh said.

“When we found Ms. Brice, she was wrapped in a white comforter and was in trash bags.”

Garnett was arrested, and she pleaded guilty to several related charges, but she was recently released from prison.

The FBI is offering $25,000 for information leading to Smith’s capture. There is an additional standing $20,000 reward from the city. Police advise anyone who may know where he is to call 911 or their local FBI office.

“If you are helping him elude us or helping him remain a fugitive, you can be charged. There is a charge for helping someone remain a fugitive,” said Walsh.