Crime & Safety

Identification On Boy's Remains Could Take Several More Weeks

The coroner's office is currently waiting on dental records out of West Virginia in order to positively identify the remains believed to be those of Terry "JuJu" Dewayne Smith Jr.

By Patch Local Editor Toni McAllister

The remains of a juvenile male discovered in Menifee last week could take several more weeks to identify, a sergeant with the Riverside County Coroner's Office said today.

Remains found July 10 in the back yard of the home of 11-year-old Terry "JuJu" Smith Jr. are believed to be those of the boy, who was reported missing days earlier.

Sgt. Brent Sechrest of the coroner's office said Tuesday that a delay in confirming the ID is because the remains are those of a juvenile. Identifying records such as fingerprints are not available on minors, unless there is a criminal record, he explained.

"We are waiting on dental records from West Virginia," Sechrest continued. "If we get those, we should have something to release ... maybe next week."

If the dental records don't pan out, Sechrest said DNA will be used to make a positive ID.

"DNA can take six to 10 weeks," he added.

Police believe the remains found at the Helen Lane home are those of Terry Smith Jr., and they have a suspect in custody. The Riverside County District Attorney's Office has filed a murder charge against Skylor Atilano, 16.

The teen appeared in court Monday afternoon at Southwest Detention Center for a detention hearing, but the hearing was postponed to Sept. 17.  Click here for more on that story.

Skylor is Terry's half brother, and the two lived at the Helen Way home with their mother, her female partner and a female juvenile.

Terry Smith Sr., the slain boy's father, lives in Charleston, West Virginia, and he told Patch he has legal custody of Terry Jr. Click here for more on that story.

It has yet to be determined whether Skylor will be tried as an adult in the case.

A cause of death on the remains found July 10 is not being released by the coroner's office.

More Coverage on the Terry Smith Story:


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