Overview of Billy Smolinski Jr.
The Billy Smolinski case is known locally by Connecticut residents.
Most people know he's missing because of the multiple billboards erected all over the state, chiefly on the state's main highway, I-84. But, most people don't know the case, or even the massive legislative hurdles this case has jumped over. His disappearance caused an overhaul of state and federal legislation, with Billy's Law being signed into by President Biden in December 2022. Billy was last seen alive on August 24th, 2004 at 3:30 pm. Billy had previously broken up with his girlfriend the week prior; he had suspicions that she was cheating on him with another man, so he ended their year-long relationship. He visited her home the early morning of August 24th, entering her home through a window. He made threatening calls to her alleged lover, leaving a few messages on his answering machine. At around 3:30 pm, Billy goes to his neighbor's house and says he's "going up north for a few days" and asks him to watch his dog. After he leaves the neighbor's, he is never seen or heard from again.
Family waits until his supposed return date to contact police. Their first contact with law enforcement is underwhelming, and no official large scale search is done for Billy. His keys and wallet are found in his car, which was left parked strangely at the edge of the driveway. Working with law enforcement, the family campaigns for recognition and posts flyers, do TV interviews, appear on TV shows, and help search for Billy in person.
The case is myered by bad tips, civil suits, and red tape. Madeline Gleason successfully sues the family for damages, claiming that the Smolinskis harassed her by placing more flyers in her vicinity in an attempt to harass her. After escalation to the Connecticut Supreme Court and multiple years, the suit is appealed. A key suspect in the case, Chad Hansen, makes false claims and tips about Billy's burial site, causing $100,000 in police resources to be wasted; Chad gets 4 1/2 years in prison for his claims.
Chad Hansen and Shawn Karpiuk remain suspects in the case. Shawn, who is Madeline's son, and Chad are allegedly perpetrators of Billy's murder. Shawn has since passed in 2005, but Chad stated that he witnessed Shawn murder Billy with a hammer. Allegedly, the pair subsequently buried Billy in an unknown location after wrapping him in a carpet. Chad and Shawn are known drug users; Chad's testimony is often brought under question due to his known drug usage and questionable credibility.
This case changed legislative history. With the addition of Public Act 07-151 to Connecticut legislation in 2007 , as well as the "Help Find the Missing" Act signed into federal law in 2022, Billy's case has changed how missing adults are handled by law enforcement across the United States. However, to this day, we do not know where Billy is, or have any substantial leads in the case. Do you know what happened to Billy?
There is currently a $60,000 reward for a substantial lead in this case. If you have any information about Billy, please contact The New Haven Office Of The FBI at: 203-777-6311.