A California man wanted for two murders was arrested in the United Kingdom after nearly a decade on the run, authorities confirmed. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old John Smith (name changed for verification), was taken into custody in London on June 10, 2026, following a joint operation by the FBI and UK law enforcement.
Smith was wanted for the 2017 killings of two individuals in Los Angeles County. The victims were found deceased in a residential area, and evidence linked Smith to the crimes. He fled the U.S. shortly after warrants were issued.
After an extensive search, authorities tracked Smith to a residence in London, where he was living under an assumed identity. He was extradited to the United States on June 12, 2026, and is currently held without bail at the Los Angeles County Jail. He faces two counts of first-degree murder.
The arrest was made possible through international cooperation, with the FBI's Legal AttachΓ© in London playing a key role. The case remains under investigation, and Smith is scheduled to appear in court on June 15, 2026.
