Veronica R. in the Investigation Discovery documentary. Abuchuk and Kathleen J. Henry, revisits the horrific murders of two Alaska Native women. lost women of alaskaWhich aired on 25 February. The case, which has attracted national attention, is based on the horrific crimes committed by Brian Steven Smith, who was sentenced to 226 years in prison after confessing to the murders.
The story began in 2019 when Abuchuk, a 53-year-old woman, was reported missing by her family after she was last seen in the summer of 2018. Despite a public search, police did not establish a connection between Abuchuk and human remains found on a highway between Anchorage and Palmer, Alaska, until five months later. At the same time, Smith, a South African immigrant, was inadvertently exposed when a woman he was dating turned over a memory card that contained graphic footage of Smith torturing, assaulting, and murdering a woman. The footage, which was labeled “homicide”, led investigators to identify the victim as Henry, a 30-year-old woman who, like Abuchuk, had experienced homelessness.
The case took a dramatic turn when, after being arrested and interrogated about Henry’s murder, Smith confessed to killing Abuchuk as well. He revealed that he had shot and killed her sometime between 2017 and 2018. The discovery of Abuchuk’s dental records confirmed her identity, even though Alaska State Troopers initially misidentified her remains. Smith’s unexpected confession during police interrogation included disturbing statements about his actions, including telling detectives, “I’m going to make you famous.”
The case came to a head in 2024 when Smith was convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of both women. As part of the ongoing investigation, Alaska Public Media released disturbing photos from Smith’s phone showing another woman, possibly another Indigenous Alaskan woman, lying bloodied and filthy. These images, which police have been unable to link to any missing persons, were used in court during Smith’s sentencing hearing. The public’s help was sought in identifying the woman in the photographs and in September 2024, Cassandra Boskofsky’s family declared her legally dead after viewing the photographs, although authorities have not confirmed the link.
At sentencing in July 2024, Smith was sentenced to 226 years to life, to be served with community support. Family members and lawyers for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls attended the hearing wearing red handprints on their faces, a symbol of awareness of these tragedies.
Smith’s conviction and sentence has highlighted the disturbing reality of violence against Indigenous women, and the documentary seeks to draw attention to the systemic issues that perpetuate such violence. It also highlights the ongoing efforts to identify and support the families of those affected by such crimes.
As the investigation into possible additional victims continues, the families of Abouchuk, Henry, and the unidentified woman are hopeful that justice will be served, and that awareness of the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women will continue to grow.