The Murder of Devan Schmidt
I just watched an episode of Breaking Homicide on ID. It’s Season 2, Episode 4 titled ‘Death at Dawn.’ Throughout this whole episode, everyone who was interviewed brought up the same name who they thought had killed Devan. After this episode came out, the police finally arrested their only suspect. I will take you through the episode and finally reveal who was arrested.
Murder
Devan Schmidt was 29 years old when she was killed. She had just moved to Seattle, Washington about 6 months prior to her death. Devan was found by her roommate on her bathroom floor of her apartment, and police were called around 11am on May 2nd, 2015. Her body was badly bruised, especially her knees and feet.
Devan
During the autopsy, they found cocaine in her system which was later found out to be from a night of partying with friends. They also ruled her death as undetermined.
Now, I will take you through who was interviewed by Derrick Lavesseur on this episode.
Lia Kendall, Devan’s sister
Lia said she had talked to her sister the night before she was found, Devan had told her that she was going to be hanging out with friends and that she would call her tomorrow. Instead, the police called her the next day and said Devan was dead.
The police asked her who would want to hurt Devan. Lia gave them the names of who she was with the previous night. She was with her friends Dominique, KT and KT’s friend, Erick Sims.
It was later admitted by Dominique that they were all using cocaine that night. Lia said Devan didn’t use drugs, and it must have been just a one time thing.
When asked, Lia said she believes Erick Simms hurt her sister.
Detective James Cooper, Lead Detective
The lead investigator in this case said he didn’t believe the autopsy. He believed right away that it was a homicide. He said the crime scene just didn't seem normal to him, he said her body was in a weird position that he can never get out of his head. He said he called in CSI right away.
Derrick asked him if he believed it could have been an overdose, and he said no because he has seen overdoses, and it didn't like one he’s ever investigated.
The Apartment
Devan lived in a duplex with multiple roommates. Her bedroom and bathroom were in the downstairs part of the duplex.
Derrick looked at crime scene photos and said there were also clumps of Devan’s hair found in the doorway of the bathroom, almost like it happened in a struggle. He also found that Devan had bruising to her hips, as well as her knees and feet.
The Roommate
Jesse Marshall, Devan’s Roommate was interviewed next. It’s never stated if Jesse and Devan hung out, if they were close or how their relationship was. Jesse said he was the one who found Devan’s body. He said her door was open, and he called out to her and got no response. He went down into her bathroom and found her. Jesse then called 911, and they talked him through CPR until they arrived.
Derrick also discovered that Devan’s body could have been moved, because he originally thought she was found face down, when Jesse said he knows for a fact he found her face up.
Jesse seemed to be emotional at the end of his interviewed, and said he doesn’t think it was accidental, and that someone harmed her.
Dr. Kanthi De Alawis
Derrick always has a third party Medical Examiner or Pathologist in these episodes, so Dr. De Alwais is back to talk about her research.
Derrick showed her the autopsy report. Devan had an injury to her neck, Dr. De Alwais said it seems to be caused by a force pushing down on her. She also determined that she thinks there would have to be pressure pushing down on her to cause her knee/feet bruising. She said even if Devan fell due to be unconscious, there would be more bruising to her face than her knees or feet.
The last thing they looked at was the cocaine found in her system. It was determined that there was 50 milligrams of undissolved cocaine in Devan’s system, which wouldn’t have caused her to be in a psychotic state since it wasn’t completely in her system.
The Person of Interest
Erick Sims is the name of the man who kept coming up in all of Devan’s family and friend’s interviews. He and Devan were not friends, but he was at Devan’s that night because he was friends with Dominique and KT.
Erick was never interviewed on camera, but Derrick talked to him on the phone. Erick said he was there, and was drinking and doing cocaine like everyone else. He said at one point, he left with Devan to go get cigarettes. He said they also stopped at a nearby lake, because Devan wanted to skinny dip. He said they skinny dipped and made out for a bit, which was iniatuated by Devan.
He said they returned, Devan wanted more cocaine and to continue partying but he wanted to leave so he left. He said when he left Dominique and KT were still there.
The Witness
Dominique Dixon, Devan’s friend was interviewed next. Dominique said she and her boyfriend, KT went to Devan’s the night before she was killed along with Erick. Dominique confirmed that they were all drinking and doing cocaine.
Derrick then told Dominique that he talked to Erick and told her what he said about Devan leaving with him. She did confirm that, but said Devan admitted they kissed and she felt weird about it and didn't want to lead him on. Derrick also asked if Devan had asked to have more cocaine, and Dominique denied it and said Devan didn't usually take drugs.
Dominique said Erick left earlier than they did, but when they finally left she got a call from Devan. Devan had called Dominique and said Erick came back to the apartment and wouldn’t leave. Dominique asked Devan if she wanted them to come back, and Devan said no.
Dominique also said that Erick was a cocaine dealer, and that’s where they got their cocaine. She said she thinks that Erick had something to do with Devan’s death.
Arrest
It is confirmed that they arrested Erick Sims for Devan’s death. Erick was 47 years old when he was arrested, and he was taken into the King County Jail.
Before Devan’s arrest, Erick had multiple arrests and convictions for assault, burglary, drug charges and domestic violence.
Erick Sims has been charged with 2nd degree murder. Erick also tried to maintain his innocence and said:
“ I am sorry that this happen, and if I was responsible I would not be here to say this,” he wrote. “No way can a common drug addict pull off what you claim.”
“Most important, I am sorry for the family lost, and a Beautiful (person’s) death. I am a father, brother and could only imagine the pain and dreams.””
R.I.P Devan
This is a really long video, but Derrick does talk about Devan’s case and how it was solved.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I am SO happy that this monster is off the street. He shouldn’t have even been on the street in the first place, in the show that they said he had over 27 arrested and charges.
I liked that the police in this case said it seemed strange right from the beginning, and they didn't give up after the first autopsy was undetermined. It’s strange to me that it took 5 years for Erick Sims’ arrest, but I guess they just didn’t have evidence until the show brought it to light. I also love that all of Devan’s friends knew it was this strange man, who was pretending to be someone he wasn’t, her friends and family never gave up on her either.
This is one of the many reasons why I love ID and their shows, because they do a lot of good for trying or being able to solve unsolved cases.
I also couldn’t find any pictures of Erick Sims online, but watch the episode because it’s very good.
Sources
https://www.monstersandcritics.com/tv/true-crime/suspicious-death-of-devan-schmidt-featured/
https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2020/05/five-years-later-arrest-made-in-devan-schmidt-case/
https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-police-arrest-suspect-in-2015-homicide
