John Creech: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

A convicted drug dealer has been charged with the murder of Fox movie executive Gavin Smith. The suspect has been named as John Creech. Smith went missing in May 2012 and was declared officially dead in May 2014. In October 2014, Smith’s remains were found in Palmdale, California. Previously John Creech had said that he never met Gavin Smith.

Here’s what you need to know:


1. Creech Was a Middleman Between Drug Dealers & Movie Producers

Gavin Smith Fox

Fox movie executive Gavin Smith. (Wikipedia)

NBC reporter Andrew Blankstein tweeted that Creech is in prison serving eight years on drug charges. KTLA reports that in September 2012, four months after Smith went missing, Creech pleaded no contest to the sale or transportation or sale of drugs. In court, Creech admitted to being a middleman between drug dealers and movie producers.


2. His Wife & Gavin Smith Were Reported to Be Having an Affair

In November 2014, the Los Angeles Times reported that Creech has been named as a “person of interest.” Times crime writer Richard Winton tweeted that Smith knew Creech’s wife. The two met in rehab. According to NBC Los Angeles, the Smith and Creech’s wife, Chandrika, were having an affair. Speaking to the media, a Sheriff’s Department lieutenant stated the investigators now know “how and why” Smith was murdered.


3. Smith’s Car Was Found in Creech’s Storage Unit

In February 2013, Gavin Smith’s car, a Mercedes, was found in a storage facility in Simi Valley, California. The facility was linked to John Creech, reports NBC Los Angeles.


4. He Faces 25 Years in Prison

Creech, 42, was officially charged on January 29. If convicted, he will face 25 years to life in state prison. My Fox LA reports that Creech will be formally arraigned in court on February 2. You can see LA Count Sheriff’s Department Lt. Dave Dolson discussing the case above.


5. Gavin Smith Once Appeared in a Movie With Tommy Lee Jones

During his illustrious career, Gavin Smith was an executive for 20th Century Fox. He also had some minor acting roles in Fox movies such as Cobb, the biopic of baseball legend Ty Cobb, which starred Tommy Lee Jones. He was also a National Championship winning college basketball star with UCLA in 1975.