Unsolved Disappearance
William "Billy" Smolinski, 31, was last seen at his residence in the 100 block of Holly Street in Waterbury, Connecticut between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. on August 24, 2004.
Billy had gone to a neighbor's home to ask if they would watch his German Shepherd while he was gone for about three days while he looked at a car to purchase. He had promised to return with a set of house keys so his neighbor could go inside and feed the dog but Billy never showed up.
Billy was never heard from again. His wallet and keys were located inside his Ford pickup truck.
Billy had been working at Midland Heating & Air Conditioning full-time as an apprentice technician, and also had a part-time job driving a tow truck with Durable Towing. He would also mow lawns and plow driveways for extra income. He was considered dependable with no history of drug use.
Billy's paycheck was deposited prior to his disappearance and was never touched. In addition, there has been no social security activity.
Chad Hanson told detectives Billy had been murdered and provided the location his body had been buried. However, in 2008, police searched locations in Seymour, Connecticut, in 2010 locations in Naugatuck State Forest and 2011 in Oxford, Connecticut. The Oxford search alone cost nearly $100,000 but nothing was ever found.
Hanson claimed Billy had been beaten to death by a man named Shaun Karpiuk who died of a heroin overdose in 2005. Hanson was later charged with deliberately lying to police to throw off the investigation.
Karpiuk was the son of Madeline Gleason, Billy's former girlfriend. Billy had been to her house the morning of the day of his disappearance and she told police when he left he had seemed depressed. Karpiuk was also the boyfriend of Chris Sorenson, who lived in Woodbridge, Connecticut. She told police that Billy had called Karpiuk on her phone telling him to "watch his back" the day of his disappearance. Police confirmed the last three phone calls Billy made were to Chris Sorenson's phone.
Authorities initially suspected Billy had left on his own but have since indicated "foul Play" is suspected.
Billy Smolinski vanished from his home in Waterbury, Connecticut on August 24, 2004.
Billy Smolinski vanished from his home in Waterbury, Connecticut on August 24, 2004.