Joshlin Smith Case: Investigators Confirms No Forensic Links Found In Key Evidence To Missing Girl

As the trial into the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith continues, the court has heard that all forensic evidence collected so far could not be linked to the missing child.

Testifying at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha, in the Joshlin Smith’s missing case, Captain Wesley Lombard from the Western Cape Anti-Kidnapping Unit confirmed that exhibits believed to be connected, including blood-stained items and a knife, returned negative DNA results.

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“The knife, flip-flop, pillowcase, clothes, and cell phone, none of it could be linked to Joshlin Smith, her mother, or her father,” Lombard told the court.

These findings come after earlier testimony from Sergeant Meyer Milstein, who initially discovered the items during a search of the shack where Joshlin Smith lived.

Despite sending them for forensic analysis, no conclusive evidence emerged to aid the case.

False Leads, Misinformation Plague Joshlin Search Efforts

Captain Lombard also shared that during the extensive investigation, the SAPS team encountered a flood of false tips, many stemming from fortune tellers, TikTok users, and online researchers.

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He described how self-proclaimed sangomas, satellite imagery experts, and even individuals from abroad shared unverified information, none of which led to credible leads.

“We followed every piece of information. From those claiming to use rituals, satellite coordinates, or even boat sightings via Interpol – all of it led to nothing,” he said.

In one instance, the UK’s National Crime Agency flagged a potential sighting of Joshlin on a boat in the North Sea.

The boat was found and searched by authorities, but there was no trace of the missing child.

Other unverified sightings in countries like Ghana and Nigeria also turned out to be false.

Investigation Continues Despite Ongoing Trial

While several suspects, including Joshlin’s mother Kelly Smith, are currently on trial, Captain Lombard stressed that the search for Joshlin remains active.

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“People are still sending in tips. Just last month, we followed up on several sightings, but none of the children matched Joshlin,” he explained.

The court also heard that a group claiming to assist in missing persons cases was investigated and later cut off from the SAPS team after allegedly attempting to align themselves with Kelly’s legal defence.

This group was internally dubbed “Team Kelly” by investigators.

Despite the lack of forensic breakthroughs and several misleading leads, police say they are committed to finding Joshlin and urge the public to continue reporting verified information.

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