The riveting ‘Murder In The Big Apple: Hospital Horror’ episode of Investigation Discovery provides insight into the terrifying circumstances behind the murders of r*pe and Dr. Kathy Hinnant.
In January 1989, Kathy Hinna was a bright 33-year-old pathologist in New York City.
In the episode synopsis, it was stated that “talented medical researcher Dr. Kathy Hinnant moves from South Carolina to New York City for a dream job opportunity; although New York is rife with crime, Kathy’s not scared until one tragic day at work when she faces her worst nightmare.”
About 50 detectives were drawn to this case and committed themselves to working around the clock for days to solve the homicide.
Through interviews with the primary investigators and Kathy’s family, the episode gives a poignant story of Kathy’s life and the efforts that resulted in the case’s closure.
Let’s look more closely at what we know.
All you need to kow about Kathy Hinnant murder
Dr. Kathy Hinnant was born in Lake City, near Florence, on February 9, 1955.
She aspired to work in pathology where she might significantly contribute to the diagnosis and perhaps even the treatment of illnesses like cancer.
After accepting a fantastic job offer from a renowned New York hospital in 1982, Kathy took the courageous choice to relocate and follow her aspirations in the area of the city notorious for its high crime rate.
Kathy bravely accepted the hardships of living in New York City despite her family’s worries for her safety.
Prior to obtaining a post at Bellevue Hospital in the late 1980s, she first held a position at the prestigious Lenox Hill Hospital.
At a sumptuous New Year’s celebration on January 1, 1986, Kathy had the opportunity to meet jazz artist Eric Johnson, which had a beneficial impact on her personal life.
Despite having quite different backgrounds, the pathologist and the singer developed a friendship.
The discovery of Kathy’s body
The discovery of Kathy’s body On January 7, Eric and Kathy received an invitation to a party.
But when Kathy didn’t show up at the party, her husband, Eric, at first thought that her job had made her forget the time.
He went back home out of concern and went to bed.
When Kathy still hadn’t returned the following morning, Eric made the decision to go to her office and see how she was doing.
Her husband and hospital workers found her lifeless death on January 8, 1989.
According to reports, she had endured a vicious assault that included a brutal beating, an assault, and being strangled with an electrical line.
The post-mortem confirmed that Kathy was five months pregnant at the time of her death, which only served to make the situation more horrifying.
Eric was first suspected, but after presenting a credible alibi, he was eliminated as a suspect.
Unsettlingly, the detectives found proof that Kathy had been raped after she passed away.
The investigators got a breakthrough
The detectives at last made a significant discovery.
They discovered that some of Kathy’s personal items were missing, including her jewellery and mink cloak.
They were alerted by an informant about a person trying to sell the coat at a homeless shelter.
They met Steven Smith, a homeless man with a history of psychiatric issues and drug addiction, thanks to this information.
Steven had been hiding out in the medical facility while posing as a doctor.
Despite his attempts to place the blame on a different fictitious person, Steven eventually admitted his role in the murder and r*pe of Kathy throughout the investigation.
Ultimately, it became clear that he committed this horrible atrocity alone.
What were Steven Smith charges? Where is he now?
Steven Smith was detained on January 10, 1989, and was later charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree r*pe, and second-degree murder.
His insanity defence was denied by the court, which led to his conviction and 50 years to life sentence in November 1989.
The wrongful death lawsuit Kathy’s family filed against Bellevue Hospital was unsuccessful in 1996, indicating that their efforts to obtain justice were in vain.
At the Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, New York, Steven Smith, who is currently 58 years old, resides in solitary confinement.
According to official records, he won’t be eligible for release until April 2039.
