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Tyler Delroy Smith was arrested in California on April 4, 2022 and as of April 5, 2022 was awaiting an extradiction hearing to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — Law enforcement officials in California have apprehended Tyler Delroy Smith, after the suspect was charged in February by the V.I. Police Department with first-degree murder in connection with the 2021 homicide of Nancy Nieves Naar. Ms. Naar was found brutally murdered on the side of a road in Estate St. John in Christiansted. The woman was found "beaten beyond recognition," according to the V.I.P.D.
The investigation into the homicide revealed that Naar, 58 at the time, was followed by Smith to the area — located around 100 yards from the Judith's Fancy Entrance — who then attacked and beat her to death, according to the police department.
V.I.P.D. Director of Communications Glen Dratte said the Criminal Investigations Bureau verified the evidence with a DNA report and requested a warrant for the arrest of Smith for first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and third-degree assault. The warrant was granted by Judge Darrly Donohue Sr. in February.
Smith, described as a black male, age 32, standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds, was born in Pennsylvania but lived on St. Croix for an extended period and speaks a mixture of U.S. mainland and Crucian accents.
On Tuesday, the V.I.P.D. said the information about Smith's wanted status reached Iowa and the National Crime Information Center, where Smith was working and residing under a variation of his name. His employer notified the authorities that he immediately left his job and fled Iowa. He was traced to California where the vehicle he was driving was found abandoned at a train station. Smith was apprehended in California on Monday and is now awaiting an extradition hearing, the V.I.P.D. said.
