Photo courtesy Missouri Sex Offender Registry
A registered sex offender listed as a person of interest in the Alisa Maier kidnapping has shot himself in the head as police showed up as his home near Hawk Point, not far from the girl’s home town of Louisiana, Missouri. He died a few hours later.
Police identify him as Paul Smith. They say he was painting his dark-colored car silver when they showed up.
Smith had served 11 years in prison for his 19-95 conviction for sodomizing a ten-year old boy. He had not registered as sex offender with local authorities, which is required by law.
The girl and her family are staying at a St.Louis hotel. A relative says she was not harmed.