Sleuths here had pretty much guessed he was probably still doing his illegal activities/drug dealing, so this is no big news:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/06/gavin-smith-missing-fox-executive-1.html
http://www.eonline.com/news/sources_missing_fox_exec_gavin_smith/325213
So now we know the couple were in an "open" relationship for awhile... Why was Gavin couch surfing on the couch of another woman in Oak Park that night? Did he go over to this house to get some dope/weed/whatever and then things went bad with Chandrika or Johnny? Thing is, it would take two people minimum to deal with the body and the car.
I'm thinking CW is a loose cannon and very unstable -- capable of flying off the handle and her husband would be the 'take care of the aftermath' person. The grandmother is 80-something. i'm sure there was concern of who would take care of those daughters if CW went to prison and LE was working on another drug charge on Johnny and he's back in jail now. So at least he's not a flight risk.
Any other ideas?
Thanks for the links, LL!
I don't know that it was open, as much as they were apparently "separated", per the articles. Not sure why someone would stay in the house with a convicted felon, who was facing, then convicted of new drug charges, with children. Maybe she owned the house prior to the marriage and she was afraid to ask him to move out, or couldn't afford it alone? I think I'd still kick him out/move out, if it were me. (I'm also not a fan of dating while separated yet married.)
In an article/interview, Gavin's wife identified the person he was staying with as a family friend. (To clarify for those jumping in on the thread, the woman Gavin was staying with/last seen by is not John's wife, CW/CC.)
'He was still watching TV downstairs when our friend went to bed, and he was going to be going up to bed shortly,' Lisa Smith told ABC News.
He was spotted driving away from the friend's home in Oak Park, north of Los Angeles at around 10pm in his black Mercedes sedan.
link BBM
It wouldn't necessarily take two to dispose of both. John could've found out his wife and Gavin were involved again, contacted him to meet him via a ruse or while the wife was out. Could've harmed him in the car, then driven away and hidden both. Or as others said chop shop. Or used his shipping ties. Or sold the car across the country via the net, given it to a fellow criminal. Could've dropped both somewhere temporary close by, and walked, biked, bussed, taxi'd or gotten a ride with a friend home. Could've had help from friends or fam. Others may have helped, unknowingly, or may have seen something and not realized it. As another poster alluded to, that could be why LE has let a little info out. In case it jogs someone's memory.
We haven't seen anything to suggest CC as a loose cannon or unstable, and as we haven't seen LE say they're looking for her, etc that seems like an unfair/unfounded character assessment, IMO. Of course, one wonders if she knew about John's prior conviction or not, or his biz while married. Not saying she has great or poor character. At this time, she's not open to sleuthing though, and WS has rules about posting rumors... Certainly seems John would be the one with motive if his wife was once again involved with a previous lover that he'd told her to break it off with years before, who had left his own family, just prior to John being sent away for ten years, IMO. John's first conviction was for dealing meth. Often, those who sell started out as those who use, then begin to sell to pay for their habit. If John was a meth user and facing the time he was, he might've been using that night. The circumstances alone might've contributed to a violent outcome, but if John was using that night, makes it even more likely, IMO. Or, if Gavin stopped by for a little score, John could've been paranoid that he was part of a sting to get him again. Gavin could've known about John's dealing from CC, and either turned him in, or John thought he did...many possibilities.
So, this theory is that CC did it (can't see a motive) and John not only helped with the cover up, but is willing to take the heat for it now?
IF Gavin was murdered, both CC & John could've been involved in the murder or both could be involved in the cover up, but I'd think if LE suspected that, they'd put a lot of pressure on her. Sure seems like they're focused on him, IMO.