Crime & Safety

SJC Alleged Murderer Pleads Not Guilty

Edward Younghoon Shin stands accused of killing his business partner, Christopher Ryan Smith, in 2010. Smith's body has never been found.

Edward Younghoon Shin, who stands , pleaded not guilty to the murder Monday.

In a case that has received nationwide attention, Shin allegedly confessed to the murder of Christopher Ryan Smith of Laguna Beach last year. His body has never been found.

Authorities allege that  Shin killed 32-year-old Smith to gain control of the victim's shares of the company, then "went to great lengths" to conceal evidence at the San Juan Capistrano crime scene.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The business partners had apparently agreed Smith would be paid $1 million upon leaving their company, The 800 Exchange, LLC, but Shin instead allegedly killed Smith in the office they shared to avoid payment, Orange County Assistant Sheriff Mark Billings said in August.

Laguna Beach Police Department were originally conducting the investigation but handed it over to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department when it became clear the murder occurred in San Juan Capistrano, sheriff's officials have said.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Shin allegedly had the office cleaned in an attempt to get rid of the blood, sheriff’s officials have said. At the same time, he posed as the victim in emails to make it look like he was traveling in Africa.

In February, investigators for Smith’s remains to no avail.

Also in February, Smith’s family . 

A second suspect, Kenny Roy Kraft of Laguna Niguel, has also been arrested.

— Jenna Chandler contributed to this report.


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