Authorities quickly established that Linda had not arrived at her youth group, prompting an extensive search effort in the small community. The Pennsylvania State Police, along with the Middle Creek Search and Rescue team, mobilized over 2,338 volunteers who contributed more than 15,000 man-hours to find her.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
On April 21 of the following year, the search for Linda tragically concluded when her remains were discovered buried on Amtrak property. Wrapped in a tarp, her body was found in a shallow grave less than four feet deep, not far from Dutchland Inc., the workplace of the primary suspect in her disappearance.
Due to the distinctive clothing and accessories found with her remains, authorities quickly confirmed that the body belonged to Linda, using dental records for verification.
Identifying the Suspect
Investigators had identified Justo Smoker, a 35-year-old local man, as the primary suspect even before Linda’s body was discovered. Witnesses reported seeing a young woman in the passenger seat of Smoker’s red Kia Rio, which had been spotted near Linda’s last known location. Authorities arrested Smoker in July 2020, just three weeks after her disappearance, charging him with felony kidnapping and misdemeanor false imprisonment. Bail was denied due to the severity of the allegations.
A wealth of evidence has been gathered against Smoker, including witness accounts and surveillance footage showing his car near the area where Linda was last seen. Enhanced video revealed a man approaching a woman in white clothing, matching Linda’s description. Additionally, articles of clothing belonging to Linda, which contained Smoker’s DNA, were found nearby. As a result, he was officially charged with murder on December 21, 2020, when investigators determined that Linda was no longer alive.
Autopsy Findings
The autopsy conducted by the Coroner’s Office revealed that Linda’s death was caused by asphyxia due to strangulation and suffocation, with a knife wound to the neck as a contributing factor. Investigators suspect that Smoker initially buried her at a different location before relocating her body to the site found months later.
Prosecutors are pursuing charges of first- or second-degree murder against Smoker, both of which could result in life imprisonment without parole. They are also considering whether to seek the death penalty, which would only be applicable if he is convicted of first-degree murder. Smoker has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
While Linda’s family has not publicly commented on the case, Mervin Fisher, her uncle by marriage, shared with a local news outlet that there is a sense of relief knowing that Linda’s remains have been returned, providing some closure for the family.
We hope that this family can find solace in the pursuit of justice for Linda.
For more information about family planning, you can visit Make a Mom. Also, check out UCSF’s Center for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination. For further insights, read more about Linda’s case and other related topics here.
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Summary:
Linda Stoltzfoos, an 18-year-old Amish woman, disappeared after leaving church in Lancaster, PA. Her remains were found ten months later, leading authorities to charge Justo Smoker with her murder. The case has garnered significant community attention, with ongoing efforts to seek justice for Linda and her family.