Naman Shrestha
Apart from being a famed actor, Teddy Kyle Smith was also considered a well-reputed member of the Iñupiaq community. However, his life turned upside down when he was linked to the attempted murders of two brothers, Paul and Charles Buckel, a few days after the death of his mother, who died under mysterious circumstances. The entire case and Teddy’s claims are explored in Hulu’s ‘Blood & Myth,’ a documentary film based on the ‘Midnight Son’ audiobook by James Dommek Jr., Isaac Kestenbaum, and Josie Holtzman. It also features the prison interview of the former actor with James.
Teddy Kyle Smith Shot a Pair of Brothers While on the Run From the Authorities
Born in the late 1960s to Donald and Dolly Smith, Teddy Kyle Smith was raised in Alaska and grew up to serve the country in the Army. He also volunteered at schools and elders camps, teaching kids and adults traditional Iñupiaq skills. As per reports, he used to trap wolverines in the middle of the winter season. The former Marine went on to become an actor, starring in the 2011 coming-of-age drama film titled ‘On The Ice.’ As he found success as an actor, the people of his community admired him and deemed him to be an authentic representation of their culture. He also portrays Blain in the 2014 thriller drama ‘Wildlike.’ At some point, he also reportedly worked as a village-based counselor for the regional health organization.
It was the year 2012 when a string of incidents upended the reputation he had built over the years. On September 7, Teddy was at home with his mother, Dolly, when the latter passed away under mysterious circumstances. Before the police could get in touch with him regarding the tragedy, he reportedly discharged at a crowd outside the residence and went on a run, which naturally raised suspicions among the authorities. According to reports, the former actor walked several hundred miles on foot over the course of the next few days before taking shelter at a remote cabin near the confluence of the Squirrel and Omar rivers, 40 miles north of Kiana. On September 18, he was visited by two brothers, Paul and Charles Buckel, who were on a hunting trip on the Squirrel River. As per the Buckels’ account, Teddy invited them inside the cabin.
After the three talked for an hour or so, an altercation allegedly broke out, and Teddy pointed a revolver at the brothers. He reportedly shot Charles in the chest and Paul in the shoulder. He then proceeded to steal their inflatable boat and hunting equipment before fleeing the scene by the river. As the attempted double homicide was reported to the troopers in the early morning hours of September 19, they set up a blockade for Teddy, who they knew was headed to Kiana. Finally, the following day, he was taken into custody without any incident at Squirrel River, 16 miles upriver from Kiana, and charged with attempted murder, theft, robbery, and weapons misconduct in connection with the shooting. Reportedly, he had previously been arrested for assault charges in 2000, 2003, and 2005.
Teddy Kyle Smith is Currently Incarcerated at an Alaska Prison Facility
After his arrest, Teddy Kyle Smith claimed that while he was on the run, he encountered Iñukuns — mythical beings feared by Iñupiaq people. He told the police that they had guided him to commit violence, which he ended up committing. Before the trial, his defense also raised the concern of Teddy’s competency to stand trial. As he was deemed fit enough for trial, it got underway in November 2014 in Kotzebue Superior Court.
During his trial, the defendant took the stand and said that he believed that he was shooting down Iñukuns in self-defense when he shot Paul and Charles. However, six days into the trial, the jury deliberated for four hours and reached a verdict. On November 25, Teddy was convicted of all counts, including two counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree robbery.
On top of that, he was also found guilty of three counts of third-degree assault in connection with the altercation outside the house on September 7, 2012. Ultimately, he was sentenced to 99 years in prison without the possibility of parole. Over the years, he and his defense counsel have filed a couple of appeals to overturn his conviction, but in vain, as the court has denied their motions. As of today, 58-year-old Teddy Kyle Smith is serving his sentence at Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla, Alaska, with his release date scheduled for December 2078.
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