35 Facts About Larry Gene Bell

Early Life and Background

Larry Gene Bell's life began in a small town, but his actions would later cast a long shadow over South Carolina. Understanding his early years provides insight into the man behind the crimes.

1. Larry Gene Bell was born on October 30, 1949, in Ralph, Alabama. He was one of five children in a family that frequently moved between Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

2. Bell attended Eau Claire High School in Columbia, South Carolina, from 1965 to 1967. He later graduated high school in Mississippi and trained as an electrician.

3. In 1972, Bell moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he got married and had one son. However, the couple divorced in 1976.

4. Bell joined the United States Marine Corps in 1970 but was discharged the same year due to a knee injury. The injury occurred while he was cleaning a gun.

Early Criminal Activities

Before his most infamous crimes, Bell had already shown a pattern of disturbing behavior. His early offenses hinted at the darkness that would later fully emerge.

5. In 1975, Bell was sentenced to five years for assault and battery of a high aggravated nature and unlawful possession of a pistol. While incarcerated, he was diagnosed as a sexual deviant with sadistic tendencies.

6. In June 1976, Bell attempted to force a University of South Carolina female student into his car with a gun. He fled after she screamed, and he was later sentenced to five years for this crime.

7. Bell was granted parole on March 6, 1978, and served two years of his five-year sentence. However, he was convicted of making obscene phone calls while on probation in 1979.

8. During his incarceration from 1975 to 1978, Bell was evaluated by psychiatrists and psychologists. They diagnosed him with a sadistic personality disorder.

The Kidnappings and Murders

Bell's most notorious crimes were the kidnappings and murders of Shari Faye Smith and Debra May Helmick. These acts shocked the community and led to one of the largest manhunts in South Carolina's history.

9. On May 31, 1985, 17-year-old Shari Faye Smith was kidnapped from her home in Lexington, South Carolina. She was looking forward to singing the National Anthem at her high school graduation.

10. The County Sheriff and FBI organized a massive search effort, setting up a 24-hour command center near the Smith's house. The community was gripped by fear as the search continued.

11. Over the next few weeks, Bell made eight taunting phone calls to the Smith family. During one call, he accidentally revealed his fixation on Shari's sister, Dawn.

12. Bell forced Shari to write her own last will and testament before murdering her. This document became crucial evidence in his trial.

13. On June 27, 1985, Bell was arrested after forensic analysis found indentations of an incomplete phone number on the stationery of the letter sent to Shari's family. Six hairs "microscopically similar" to Shari's hair were found in Bell's apartment.

14. Two weeks after Shari's kidnapping, on June 14, 1985, Bell kidnapped 9-year-old Debra May Helmick from her front yard. He killed her and called the Smith family to tell them where he had left Helmick's body.

Behavioral Analysis and Profiling

The FBI's behavioral analysis played a crucial role in identifying and capturing Bell. Their techniques and insights were instrumental in solving the case.

15. FBI behavioral analysts, including John Douglas, profiled Bell as a killer who was intelligent, divorced, and had good knowledge of electronics. They correctly identified him as white and slightly overweight.

16. Bell's taunting behavior towards the families of his victims was a hallmark of his crimes. He made numerous phone calls to the Smith family, often speaking with Shari's sister Dawn.

17. Bell attempted to feign mental illness during his trial to avoid a possible death sentence. He made statements indicating that he may have been attempting to fake mental illness.

18. Significant evidence against Bell included the hairs found in his apartment that were "microscopically similar" to Shari's hair. The incomplete phone number on the stationery also led to his arrest and conviction.

Trial and Sentencing

Bell's trials were marked by bizarre behavior and overwhelming evidence. His attempts to avoid the death penalty were unsuccessful.

19. Bell's trial began on February 10, 1986. During his six-hour testimony, he made bizarre comments and carried on nonstop theatrics.

20. The jury deliberated for just 47 minutes and returned verdicts of guilty on both charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder in the case of Shari Smith. Bell was sentenced to death.

21. Bell was tried separately in 1987 for the kidnapping and murder of Debra Helmick. The jury came back with the same verdict: guilty on both counts.

22. Bell chose to die by the electric chair instead of lethal injection. He died on October 4, 1996, at the age of 46.

Community Impact and Legacy

Bell's crimes left a lasting impact on the community and the families of his victims. The fear and trauma he caused are still felt today.

23. The crimes committed by Larry Gene Bell had a profound impact on the community. Teen girls began traveling in groups, and parents were wary of letting their children play outside without adult supervision.

24. Despite the heinous nature of his crimes, Larry Gene Bell did not receive as much media attention as some other serial killers. However, his case was covered in various TV shows and books.

25. John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker wrote a book titled "When a Killer Calls: A Haunting Story of Murder, Criminal Profiling, and Justice in a Small Town," which is solely about Larry Gene Bell's case. A TV movie titled "Nightmare in Columbia County" was also made in 1991.

26. Bell was diagnosed with a sadistic personality disorder, characterized by taking pleasure in the infliction of physical, emotional, or psychological pain. This diagnosis was supported by his history of sexually motivated crimes.

27. Despite the lack of evidence of sexual assault in the traditional sense, Bell's crimes were motivated by a desire for sexual gratification. He engaged in activities that caused harm to his victims to satisfy his sexual needs.

28. FBI behavioral analysts used advanced techniques to profile Bell. They looked for behaviors that indicated a killer was losing control, such as nervousness and weight loss.

29. The community was shocked by Bell's crimes, and the fear he instilled was palpable. Parents were worried about their children's safety, and teen girls were particularly fearful.

30. Bell's defense strategy was that he was guilty but mentally ill. If convicted under those circumstances, he would have received psychological care before being put in the general population in prison.

31. Bell's taunting behavior towards the families of his victims was a hallmark of his crimes. He made numerous phone calls to the Smith family, often speaking with Shari's sister Dawn.

32. Bell chose to die by electrocution rather than lethal injection. His execution on October 4, 1996, marked the end of an era for electric chair executions in South Carolina.

33. Larry Gene Bell's crimes left a lasting impact on the community and the families of his victims. His case was a prime example of how a serial killer can torment families with taunting phone calls.

34. Bell's case has been represented in various media forms, including TV shows and books. His story serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with sadistic personality disorders.

35. The detailed analysis of his life and crimes provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors that led to his downfall. The lasting impact he had on the community serves as a reminder of the horrors that can be committed by individuals with sadistic tendencies.

The Lasting Impact of Larry Gene Bell

Larry Gene Bell's crimes left a deep scar on South Carolina. His kidnappings and murders of Shari Faye Smith and Debra May Helmick shook the community to its core. Bell's taunting phone calls and psychological manipulation added layers of horror to his already heinous acts. His case highlighted the importance of behavioral analysis in tracking down serial killers. The fear he instilled in the community never fully dissipated, even after his arrest and execution. Bell's story serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with sadistic tendencies. His legacy is a stark warning about the potential for evil in seemingly ordinary people. The detailed investigation and eventual capture of Bell showcased the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement. His case remains a significant chapter in the history of criminal profiling and forensic science.